As per historical data, the world has seen 20 pandemics that affected millions of lives due to the absence of any laws to protect people. Many countries consider it a challenge to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases, including India. In the 18th century, public health laws came into effect for the first time during the plague outbreak in Britain. Since then it was decided that the diseases dangerous to public health would be notified to the public health authorities.
According to WHO’s International Health Regulations, 1969, disease reporting is mandatory for global surveillance. The Indian government has also implemented laws to monitor and address potential health threats that involve reporting infectious diseases. These laws empower government and health authorities to take necessary actions to control the spread of the diseases. Diseases that are required to be reported are known as notifiable diseases.
In this blog, we will discuss what are notifiable diseases and some common notifiable diseases in India. Keep reading to find out more.
What Exactly are Notifiable Diseases?
Any disease that is required as per the law to be reported to the public health authorities is called a notifiable disease. The purpose of notification is
- To facilitate a prompt investigation,
- Assessment of risk to human health
- To respond to cases of infectious disease and contamination.
Medical practitioners and diagnostic labs are required to notify the local health department of cases of notified diseases. In India, the state government is responsible for determining which diseases must be reported to the medical officer in their area and to notify the diseases. The government and regional authorities maintain a list of notifiable diseases in India, which is subject to change as new diseases are added or existing ones are removed.
How Many Notifiable Diseases are there?
The government has declared many diseases as notified diseases, however, the notifiable diseases list varies across states. These diseases include infectious diseases caused by parasites, viruses and bacteria. Let us look at the common 11 notifiable diseases in India.
>> Also Read: 7 Most Communicable Diseases in India You Must Know About
What are the 11 Notifiable Diseases in India?
Here are 11 of the most common infectious diseases that have the potential to cause widespread infection if not controlled
1. Cholera
It is an acute intestinal infection caused by consumption of contaminated food or water. It is caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria that result in diarrhoea and dehydration. Measures like adequate sanitation, safe drinking water, and oral cholera vaccine have resulted in reducing the number of cases being reported.
2. Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection affecting the upper respiratory system. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheria and is more common in children and adolescents. The outbreak of the disease can be prevented by adolescent booster vaccines.
3. Encephalitis
Japenese Encephalitis (JE) is a vector-borne zoonotic viral disease preventable by vaccines, which causes inflammation in the brain tissue. Acute Encephalitis Syndrome is the presentation of JE viral infection with common symptoms including headache, fever and mental confusion. Vaccination and vector control are the only methods to prevent an outbreak.
4. Plague
There have been many plague outbreaks in India, the last one happened in 2004 in Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand. It is a highly infectious zoonotic disease caused by Yersinia pestis bacteria found in mammals and their fleas. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, etc. Identifying the source of infection, disinfection, isolation and quick treatment are the best ways to prevent as well as manage plague outbreaks.
5. Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms include fever, headache and chills. Controlling the population of mosquitos is the only way to reduce the transmission of the disease.
6. Measles
Measles is an acute viral disease that is highly infectious and common in children. It is transmitted through the respiratory route and causes skin rash, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Vaccination is the best way to prevent getting an infection.
7. Hepatitis A, B, C and E
Hepatitis is caused due to viral infection. While A and E are food and water-borne infections, B and C are chronic infections resulting in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. To combat hepatitis, the government has initiated a National Viral Hepatitis Control Program intending to control infection by providing easy access to testing, free drugs and prevention services.
8. Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of a membrane covering the brain and spinal cord. It is a fatal disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitides. It is spread through respiratory secretions and infects the cerebrospinal fluid. Vaccination is the best prevention method.
9. Dengue
Dengue is a vector-borne disease which is on the rise in India. It has flu-like symptoms characterised by low platelet count. The treatment is symptomatic. The only way to prevent the spread of the disease is to control the spread of mosquitos.
10. Tuberculosis
It is the leading cause of death from an infectious disease that is curable. It is caused by a bacteria that affects the lungs and spreads through air. TB infection and TB disease are two different things. Many people have TB infection, but they don’t have any symptoms and are not contagious. Only a few people with TB infection have TB disease. A TB infection can result in a TB disease because of low immunity. Maintaining good health and vaccination can only help prevent a TB infection.
11. AIDS
AIDS is a contagious disease which is difficult to prevent. It is caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), which is sexually transmitted or by injecting infected blood. Raising awareness among high-risk populations and blood safety is the only means to prevent an HIV infection.
In a Nutshell
These are just some of the notifiable diseases that are identified in India. Depending on the data collected during disease reporting, the government and health authorities can better formulate policies and strategies to manage an outbreak or prevent the spread of these diseases.
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