Which common communicable disease should be reported to the state department of health and CDC?

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a vaccine-preventable disease and is one of the communicable diseases that require reporting to health authorities, including the state department of health and the CDC. This reporting is crucial due to its potential for outbreaks and its significant public health implications. Early detection and rapid response help to control the spread of pertussis, particularly among vulnerable populations such as infants, who are at a higher risk of severe complications.

While influenza is a serious illness that can cause significant morbidity and mortality, it is typically monitored through surveillance rather than reported on an individual basis, making it less critical for direct reporting than pertussis. Measles, while also a reportable disease due to its potential for outbreak, is not the answer selected here. The common cold, caused by various viruses, is not reportable because it is generally mild and widespread, lacking the serious public health consequences associated with diseases like pertussis.

In the context of disaster planning and public health readiness, the emphasis on diseases like pertussis highlights the importance of tracking and managing communicable diseases that can lead to significant health risks in communities.