Diseases A-Z
Diphtheria
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Diphtheria is an acute bacterial disease that usually affects the tonsils, throat, nose or skin. Childhood immunization is recommended.
More info/links
Disease reporting
Health care providers and clinical laboratories are required by law to report cases and suspect cases of diphtheria to local health departments immediately, day or night, after identification. On weekends and holidays, call 971-673-1111 to reach the state health department doctor on call.
Cases are subject to restriction on school and day-care attendance, food handling, and patient care while in the communicable stage of the disease. Diphtheria requires special isolation procedures. If sufficient measures have been taken to prevent transmission, or the disease is no longer communicable, worksite, child-care and school restrictions can be removed by the local public health authority.
Disease reporting form for health-care practitioners (PDF 42K)
Go to our disease reporting page for information on how to report and for telephone numbers of local health departments.
For county health departments:
Case report form (6/03) (PDF 36K)
For reportable diseases lacking Oregon-specific investigative guidelines or case report forms, please contact the epidemiologist on call for assistance.
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