Notifiable diseases and communicable disease control
Which diseases doctors must report, how outbreaks are managed, and contact prophylaxis.
High-yield points
Doctors and laboratories must notify the state or territory public health unit; data feeds the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System.
Urgent notification by phone on clinical suspicion for diseases such as measles, meningococcal disease, diphtheria and botulism.
Other examples: TB, HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, hepatitis A/B/C, pertussis, salmonellosis, legionellosis, Q fever, Ross River virus, COVID-19 and influenza (lab-confirmed).
Measles contacts: MMR within 72 hours or normal human immunoglobulin within 6 days of exposure.
Meningococcal contacts: clearance antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, rifampicin or ceftriaxone) for household and intimate contacts.
Exclusion rules for childcare and school (e.g. pertussis, measles, gastroenteritis) are set by public health guidance.
Two or more people with foodborne illness from a common source should be reported.
India vs Australia
Where the answer the AMC marks correct differs from what’s usually taught in Indian MBBS.
| Aspect | India (MBBS)What you learn in MBBS | Australia (AMC)What the exam marks as correct |
|---|---|---|
| System | IDSP reporting to district surveillance units. | Report to the state or territory public health unit; the core list is national, but lists and timeframes vary by state. |
| Consent | Similar public health duty. | Consent isn't needed to notify, but tell the patient you are doing it. |
| Urgency | Weekly and outbreak reporting. | Some (e.g. meningococcal disease, measles) need urgent phone notification on clinical suspicion, before lab confirmation. |
| Contact tracing | Health workers do field follow-up. | Public health units lead tracing and prophylaxis; the GP supports and handles STI partner notification. |
System
India (MBBS)
IDSP reporting to district surveillance units.
Australia (AMC): what the exam expects
Report to the state or territory public health unit; the core list is national, but lists and timeframes vary by state.
Consent
India (MBBS)
Similar public health duty.
Australia (AMC): what the exam expects
Consent isn't needed to notify, but tell the patient you are doing it.
Urgency
India (MBBS)
Weekly and outbreak reporting.
Australia (AMC): what the exam expects
Some (e.g. meningococcal disease, measles) need urgent phone notification on clinical suspicion, before lab confirmation.
Contact tracing
India (MBBS)
Health workers do field follow-up.
Australia (AMC): what the exam expects
Public health units lead tracing and prophylaxis; the GP supports and handles STI partner notification.
The Australian context
Notifiable lists and timeframes are set by each state or territory, but the core list is national. Consent is not needed to notify, but you should tell the patient.