We are seeing a resurgence of contagious diseases throughout the United States and the rest of the World. The United States’ Center for Disease Control, CDC, sends scientists and doctors out to respond to US health threats. (www.cdc.gov). If the disease (E.g. Covid, Ebola or Zika) carries an unusually serious, unexpected, or high risk of international spread, then the CDC reports this to the WHO, World Health Organization.
Measles is a reportable disease that is back in South Dakota and the USA. Measles was eradicated in the Unites States in the year 2000 but resurged through non-vaccinated travelers. Other reportable or notifiable diseases in SD which are at an all-time high (2018 data is the most up to date year) include bacterial diarrhea (generally from animal or food sources), pertussis (whooping cough) and sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis and gonorrhea. Other notifiable diseases in South Dakota include covid, influenza, rabies, and multiple others: https://doh.sd.gov/diseases/infectious/reporting.aspx. Any unexplained illness or any groups of people who get sick from the same thing at the same time is reportable. Some chronic illnesses, such as cancer (not certain types of skin cancer) or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome are also reportable.
So, what happens if your doctor or lab determines you have a reportable disease? A phone call is made immediately or within 3 days to the SD Dept. of Health (SDDOH), who investigates the report. SDDOH contacts you, the patient, to determine where you picked up the illness, and to see if anyone else has been exposed to it. They may ask for your travel history, household and community contacts, and discuss your symptoms with you. If necessary, they will call on the CDC to assist with management.