Report Disease Cases - Los Angeles City Rules

Public Health and Welfare California 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 02, 2026 Flag of California

In Los Angeles, California, certain infectious and communicable diseases must be reported to public health authorities to protect the community and enable a public-health response. Reporting in the City of Los Angeles is coordinated with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and follows state reporting systems and legal obligations for clinicians, laboratories, and institutions. This guide summarizes who must report, how to submit reports, enforcement pathways, common violations, and practical steps to comply with local and state rules.

Reporting obligations and who must report

Physicians, laboratories, hospitals, clinical directors, and certain institutional operators are typically required to report cases or suspected cases of designated diseases. Electronic systems (state/local) and telephone reporting channels exist for urgent conditions; non-urgent reports may use specified forms. For county-level procedures and lists of reportable conditions see the local public health guidance.[1]

Report immediately when a disease is designated as reportable by the health officer.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement authority is exercised by the local health officer and county public health agency, working under state public-health statutes and local implementation rules. Specific monetary fines and escalation schedules for failing to report are not specified on the cited county pages; consult the enforcing agency for exact penalties and procedures.[1]

  • Enforcer: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the local Health Officer; inspections and enforcement actions originate with that office.[1]
  • Reporting methods: phone hotlines for urgent conditions and electronic reporting systems for routine case notification (state systems may apply).[2]
  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited county page; see the enforcing office for current fines and civil or criminal consequences.[1]
  • Escalation: first and repeat offence procedures and continuing-offence language are not specified on the cited page; enforcement may include orders, administrative citations, or referral for prosecution.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: isolation or quarantine orders, control measures, closure or remediation directives, and court enforcement are listed as possible public-health remedies.
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits are determined by the enforcing agency and the underlying statutes or regulations; where not published on the county page, request appeal procedures from the office handling the order.

Applications & Forms

  • Common form: Confidential Morbidity Report (CMR) or equivalent local report form; availability and form numbers vary by jurisdiction and are provided by the county public health office.[1]
  • Deadlines: urgent diseases require immediate or same-day reporting; specific timeframes for each condition are set in the list of reportable conditions and by the health officer.
  • Submission: phone, fax, secure electronic system, or web portal as specified by the county; contact the county page for exact submission addresses and numbers.[1]
If a form number or exact deadline is not listed online, contact the county health officer for the current requirement.

Common violations and practical compliance steps

  • Failure to notify local public health of confirmed reportable infections.
  • Delays in reporting urgent conditions (e.g., immediately not reported by phone).
  • Incomplete case reports lacking required identifiers or clinical details.

Action steps: identify if the condition is on the reportable list; use the county or state electronic system for notification; complete the required form with patient identifiers and clinical details; follow isolation or control instructions from the health officer; preserve records of submission and communication.

FAQ

Who must report a reportable disease?
Clinicians, laboratories, hospitals, and certain institutional operators must report as specified by the health officer and state law.
How quickly must I report an urgent condition?
Urgent conditions generally require immediate or same-day reporting by phone or electronic alert; check the county list for each disease's time frame.[1]
Where do I send the completed report form?
Submit forms to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health via the channels listed on the county reporting page or via the state electronic reporting system where required.[2]

How-To

  1. Confirm the condition is reportable by checking the Los Angeles County list of reportable diseases.[1]
  2. If urgent, call the county public health hotline immediately and follow instructions.
  3. Complete the Confidential Morbidity Report or required electronic notification fields with patient identifiers and clinical details.
  4. Submit the report via the specified county portal, secure fax, or the state electronic system as directed.
  5. Keep submission receipts and comply with any isolation, treatment, or control orders from the health officer.

Key Takeaways

  • Coordinate with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for local reporting rules.
  • Urgent diseases usually require immediate phone notification plus an electronic or written report.
  • Keep records of reports and follow health officer directives to reduce enforcement risk.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Los Angeles County Department of Public Health - reportable diseases and reporting guidance
  2. [2] California Department of Public Health - state reporting systems and guidance

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