Notifying cases of infectious diseases within Victoria - How to notify
Page content: Step 1 | Step 2 | What happens with the notification? | Resources
Step 1 (Mandatory for Group A diseases / optional for Group B/C/D diseases)
- Telephone our priority number 1300 651 160
This number connects you directly to the Department of Health's Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit for the cost of a local call from most fixed phones (additional charges may apply for calls made from mobile phones).
For urgent notifications outside office hours, please telephone the departments after hours service on 1300 790733 and advise the operator that you wish to make an 'urgent infectious disease notification'.
Step 2 (Mandatory for all diseases)
- Notify online using our secure e-Form (note - the online service is not available for Group D diseases)
OR
- Print > Complete > Fax/Post the relevant Notification of Infectious Disease Form
Fax the completed form to our priority number 1300 651 170, which connects you directly through to the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit for the cost of a local call from most fixed phones (additional charges may apply for calls made from mobile phones)
or post it (no stamp required) to:
Communicable Disease Prevention and Control (Public Health Branch)
Victorian Government Department of Health
Reply Paid 65937
Melbourne VIC 8060
What happens with the notification?
The Department conducts surveillance on infectious diseases to pinpoint outbreaks and to prevent the spread of infection. For certain diseases Medical Officers, Environmental Health Officers, or Public Health Nurses conduct further investigations. This involves contacting the patient to obtain more detailed information.
Note - Department staff will not contact the patient without seeking the consent of the notifying doctor.
The Department routinely publishes annual and quarterly and daily surveillance reports online and in hard copy.
Resources
Standard: Notification of Infectious Disease Form (221kb, pdf)
Enhanced: Notification of Hepatitis B Form (77kb, pdf)
Enhanced: Notification of Hepatitis C Form (76kb, pdf)
Standard: Notification of HIV form (for new diagnosis confirmed by VIDRL only (1,108kb, pdf)
Standard: Notification of death from HIV form (245kb, pdf)
Standard: Notification of AIDS form (870kb, pdf)
Enhanced: Notification of Sexually Transmitted Infection Form (82kb, pdf)
Enhanced: Notification of Tuberculosis Form (96kb, pdf)
To make notifying as simple as possible the department provides:
- preprinted ReplyPaid envelopes (no stamps required)
- preprinted notification pads (each pad includes 25 notification forms, 25 privacy information sheets for patients, and privacy information for GPs)
You can order forms and envelopes online, email to infectious.diseases@dhs.vic.gov.au, or telephone for a supply to be sent to your practice.
Important - Do not email notifications.
All notifications and related inquiries should be directed to:
Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit (Public Health Branch)
Victorian Government Department of Health
Reply Paid 65937
Melbourne VIC 8060
Additional information: