What You Need To Know
Below please find the updated disease chapter and investigation checklist.
Review the laboratory report to confirm the test result. If the case has not been submitted via the Communicable Disease Reporting and Surveillance System (CDRSS), create a case.
- Follow up with the laboratory to ensure a specimen has been submitted to the state laboratory for further testing as per the NJ Administration Code.
- Assess if the case falls into higher risk categories (older adults, immunocompromised, pregnant women, newborns).
- Interview the case patient (parent/guardian if case is a minor) via telephone using the Listeriosis Case Report Form (CDC-LCR) within two weeks of the case being reported. Do not fax the form to the physician or mail to the home of the case for completion.
- Submit the completed Listeriosis Case Report Form (CDC-LCR) via fax to 609-826-5972 or 609-292- 5811 or email to the Foodborne and Waterborne Disease Unit at cds.fwd.epi@doh.nj.gov.
- Provide education to the case patient, additional information can be found on the NJDOH and CDC disease pages.
- Enter critical details and relevant information regarding (pregnancy, underlying conditions, food history especially consumption of unpasteurized dairy, cheese, meats, seafood, vegetables, salads, grocery stores, shopper card details, and restaurants) into the CDRSS case.
- Notify the appropriate local health department and document in CDRSS, if a food establishment, restaurant etc. from another jurisdiction is identified as a possible source of exposure.
- Inform the Foodborne and Waterborne Disease Unit at CDS if an unpasteurized milk/dairy product or an outbreak is suspected as the source of infection.
- Enter any additional symptomatic contacts identified through the interview into CDRSS and follow case investigation as appropriate.
- Upon completion of investigation, determine case status and close case in CDRSS.
- Document dates of at least three attempts made to reach case in CDRSS including reason for loss to follow up if the case remains unreachable.