Report Infectious Disease Cases - San Francisco Guide

San Francisco, California requires health professionals, laboratories and certain institutions to report suspected or confirmed infectious disease cases to the local public health authority so the city can manage outbreaks, trace contacts and protect the public. This guide explains who must report, how to submit a report to the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH), relevant state reporting obligations, timelines, enforcement basics, and practical steps to comply. Where official page details are not stated explicitly, the guide notes "not specified on the cited page" and identifies the source used. Information current as of February 2026.

Who must report and when

Under California reporting rules, clinicians, laboratories, hospitals and institutional administrators generally must notify the local health officer of certain infectious diseases immediately or within a specified timeframe. For San Francisco reporting procedures see the SFDPH reportable conditions guidance SFDPH Reportable Conditions^[1]. For statewide obligations and Title 17 references see the California Department of Public Health guidance CDPH Reporting and Notifying^[2].

• Clinicians and physicians: report immediately for urgent conditions and within required timeframes for others.
• Clinical laboratories: submit laboratory-positive results as defined by SFDPH/CDPH rules.
• Hospitals and institutional administrators: report outbreaks, clusters and mandated events.

Practical reporting steps

Follow these steps when you identify a reportable case.

1. Confirm whether the condition is listed as reportable on the SFDPH or CDPH lists.
2. Contact SFDPH reporting phone or secure electronic portal as specified on the SFDPH page.^[1]
3. Provide required patient identifiers, clinical information, specimen/lab details and exposure history.
4. Send laboratory reports through the lab reporting channel required by SFDPH/CDPH (electronic lab reporting where available).
5. Follow SFDPH instructions on isolation, quarantine and contact notification until the case is cleared.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement authority rests with the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the local health officer; state obligations are enforced through CDPH where applicable. Specific monetary fines and statutory penalty amounts are not listed on the SFDPH reporting guidance page and are therefore not specified on the cited page.^[1]

• Fines: not specified on the cited page.
• Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offences and their ranges are not specified on the cited page.
• Non-monetary sanctions: isolation or quarantine orders, mandatory treatment or other public-health orders may be issued by the local health officer; specifics vary and are governed by public health law and administrative orders.
• Inspection and complaint pathways: complaints and enforcement investigations are handled by SFDPH communicable disease units; use the SFDPH reporting contacts for inspections and investigations.
• Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits are not detailed on the SFDPH reporting page; contact SFDPH for appeal procedures and applicable deadlines.

Applications & Forms

SFDPH provides specific reporting instructions and may publish laboratory reporting specifications or a morbidity report form; where a named form or fee is not published on SFDPH we state that it is not specified on the cited page.^[1]

• Confidential morbidity or report forms: see SFDPH reporting page for the current form or electronic reporting portal details.
• Fees: no reporting fee is indicated on the cited SFDPH page.
• Submission: phone, secure portal or electronic laboratory reporting channels as listed by SFDPH.

FAQ

Who must report a suspected infectious disease?

Clinicians, laboratories, hospitals and certain institutional administrators must report conditions listed by SFDPH and CDPH within the required timeframes.

How do I submit a report in San Francisco?

Use the SFDPH reporting phone number or electronic reporting portal listed on the SFDPH Reportable Conditions page and follow the SFDPH data requirements.^[1]

What penalties apply if I fail to report?

Monetary fines and escalation rules are not specified on the SFDPH reporting page; enforcement can include public health orders and other sanctions.

How-To

1. Identify whether the case matches a reportable condition on the SFDPH or CDPH lists.
2. Gather patient and clinical data required for reporting, including contact and specimen details.
3. Contact SFDPH by phone or use the designated electronic portal to submit the report immediately when required.
4. Send lab confirmations via the lab reporting channel if applicable.
5. Follow SFDPH instructions for isolation, treatment and contact tracing.
6. If you receive an enforcement notice, request appeal and review instructions from SFDPH promptly.

Key Takeaways

• Report promptly to SFDPH when a reportable condition is suspected.
• Use the SFDPH contact methods and provide complete clinical and lab information.
• Contact SFDPH for forms, appeal procedures, or if a required detail is not found on the public page.

Help and Support / Resources

• SFDPH Reportable Conditions and reporting contacts
• California Department of Public Health - Reporting and Notifying
• SF311 - non-emergency city services and reporting

1. [1] City of San Francisco Department of Public Health - Reportable Conditions
2. [2] California Department of Public Health - Reporting and Notifying