Public Health Surveillance

Nova Scotia Surveillance Guidelines for Notifiable Diseases and Conditions

Surveillance Guidelines information is cross-referenced and provides an easy way to search and retrieve information pertaining to communicable diseases prevalent in Nova Scotia.

The purpose of the Nova Scotia Surveillance Guidelines for Notifiable Diseases and Conditions is to provide detailed guidance to public health staff in Nova Scotia involved in prevention, control and surveillance of notifiable diseases and conditions and the handling of related information collected as part of communicable disease follow-up. This includes staff in Nova Scotia Health Public Health and the Department of Health and Wellness (DHW). This section describes the reporting of notifiable diseases and conditions in Nova Scotia. It provides a high-level overview of surveillance in the province, outlining the manner in which notifiable disease data flow to and from front-line service providers to Public Health zones, Department of Health and Wellness, and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

• Public Health Surveillance – An Overview (PDF)
• Respiratory Surveillance Plan for Public Health (PDF)
• Legislation, Agreements, Roles & Responsibilities (PDF)
• Surveillance Information Flow (PDF)
• Surveillance Case Definitions for Notifiable Diseases & Conditions (PDF)
• Case Counting For Surveillance (PDF)
• Dissemination of Information (PDF)

The following documents may be used in conjunction with the Surveillance Guidelines:

• Nova Scotia Communicable Disease Control Manual
• Nova Scotia Health Protection Act (PDF)
• Nova Scotia Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Conditions Regulations
• Users Guide to the Health Protection Act and Regulations (PDF)