National Surveillance

At its 2010 Annual Meeting, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) recommended that babesiosis be added to the list of nationally notifiable conditions and that states and territories conduct surveillance using the national case definition.

On January 1, 2011, babesiosis became a nationally notifiable condition.

CDC is responsible for the collection and dissemination of U.S. babesiosis surveillance data. Surveillance is the ongoing collection and analysis of data and the timely dissemination of information to those who need to know so that action can be taken. State and territorial health departments notify CDC of cases of nationally notifiable conditions.

CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) publishes weekly summaries of nationally notifiable disease data, periodic surveillance reports for selected diseases and conditions, and an annual summary of nationally notifiable diseases.

Although babesiosis is nationally notifiable, it may not be a reportable condition in every state. Health care professionals should consult their local, territorial, or state health departments about which conditions are reportable.

Babesiosis Case Report Form

For cases of babesiosis that have been identified and reported through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, state health departments are encouraged to submit additional information to CDC using the OMB-approved CDC Case Report Form (CRF). The Babesiosis CRF includes variables that routine electronic reporting does not, such as risk factors for infection, clinical manifestations, and laboratory results. If a health department has its own babesiosis-specific form for collecting such information, the supplemental details can be submitted to CDC in lieu of a CRF.

For more information regarding babesiosis surveillance or assistance in completing the CRF, please call the Parasitic Diseases Inquiries at 404-718-4745 or email parasites@cdc.gov. Completed CRFs (or other supplemental information) may be submitted to CDC in either of the following ways: