Report Communicable Diseases - Memphis, TN Guide

Public Health and Welfare Tennessee 3 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026 Flag of Tennessee

In Memphis, Tennessee, timely reporting of communicable diseases helps protect people and workplaces and triggers public-health actions by local and state authorities. This guide explains who must report, what to report, and how to send reports to the local health authority and the Tennessee Department of Health. It is meant for clinicians, laboratories, employers, schools, and any person or organization required by law or policy to notify public-health authorities about suspected or confirmed infectious conditions.

Report promptly to allow contact tracing and targeted public-health measures.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of disease-reporting obligations in Memphis is carried out by the local health authority and under Tennessee public-health statutes and rules; specific monetary penalties are not detailed on the local procedural pages cited below. Official complaint, inspection, and enforcement authority rests with the city/county health department and the Tennessee Department of Health, which can issue orders for isolation, quarantine, or other public-health measures when authorized by state law.

  • Enforcer: Memphis & Shelby County Health Department (Memphis & Shelby County Health Department)[1]
  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page
  • Escalation: information on first, repeat, or continuing-offence ranges is not specified on the cited page
  • Non-monetary sanctions: isolation/quarantine orders, mandatory treatment or monitoring, business or facility closure, and referral to courts for enforcement where permitted by state law
  • Inspection and complaints: submit complaints or report outbreaks to the local health department contact listed in Help and Support / Resources
  • Appeals and review: procedures for administrative review or judicial appeal are governed by state public-health statutes and administrative rules; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page
  • Defences and discretion: public-health officers may exercise discretion for reasonable excuses, clinical uncertainty, or pending laboratory confirmation where allowed by policy

Applications & Forms

Common reporting tools used in Tennessee include the Confidential Morbidity Report (CMR) and electronic laboratory reporting systems; health care providers and laboratories should use the state forms or the local electronic reporting portal to submit case reports to the Tennessee Department of Health and the local health department. Official state forms and submission instructions are published by the Tennessee Department of Health. View the state reporting form and guidance[2]

Many diseases require immediate or same-day notification to the health department—check the state list for specifics.

How to report: practical steps

  • Identify the suspect condition and check the Tennessee reportable disease list
  • Complete the Confidential Morbidity Report (CMR) or submit via the state/local electronic system
  • Notify the local health department by phone if the condition requires urgent public-health action
  • Keep copies of reports and laboratory results to support case investigation and any required follow-up

Common violations

  • Failure of a clinician to report a required case
  • Laboratory non-reporting or delayed reporting
  • Institutional failure to notify after outbreak detection
Facilities should maintain a reporting protocol aligned with local health-department contacts.

FAQ

Who must report communicable diseases in Memphis?
Clinicians, laboratories, schools, employers, and other entities designated by state or local public-health rules must report suspected or confirmed cases to the local health department and the Tennessee Department of Health.
How do I submit a report?
Use the Tennessee Confidential Morbidity Report (CMR) form or the state/local electronic reporting portal; call the local health department for urgent notifications.
What happens after I report?
The health department will investigate, may order testing, isolation, contact tracing, or other control measures, and will follow state reporting procedures.

How-To

  1. Recognize a reportable condition using the Tennessee reportable disease list.
  2. Collect required clinical and laboratory information.
  3. Complete and submit the Confidential Morbidity Report (CMR) or use the electronic reporting portal.
  4. Call the local health department for any immediately reportable condition.
  5. Follow any directions from public-health investigators, including isolation or workplace measures.

Key Takeaways

  • Timely reporting protects the community and triggers public-health responses.
  • Use the state CMR or electronic systems for official notifications.
  • Contact the local health department for urgent or outbreak reports.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Memphis & Shelby County Health Department - Communicable Diseases
  2. [2] Tennessee Department of Health - Confidential Morbidity Report (CMR)

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