Three Classes of Disease

Ohio Revised Code 3701.201 requires the reporting of events that may be caused by terrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease, or established or infectious agents or biological or chemical toxins posing a risk of human fatality or disability. There are three classes of disease as defined by law, Class A, Class B, and Class C.

Class A must be reported by telephone to the local health department. Class A includes Anthrax, Botulism, Cholera, Diphtheria, Influenza A, Measles, Meningococcal, Plague, Rabies, Rubella, SARS, Smallpox, Tularemia, Viral hemorrhagic fever, and Yellow Fever. Class B and Class C requires a reporting by the end of the next business day. Class B requires the existence of a case, a suspected case, or a positive laboratory result. Class C is a less serious outbreak in the community, an institution, or related to healthcare.