The Acute Care Hospital Outbreak and Biothreat Response Unit is responsible for the conducting epidemiological investigations of Acute Care Hospital outbreaks, and response to and epidemiological investigation of reports of select bioterrorism agents (e.g. anthrax, botulism, smallpox) and high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs) or special pathogens*.

*Novel or reemerging infectious agents that are easily transmitted from person-to-person, have limited or no medical countermeasures (such as an effective vaccine or prophylaxis), have a high mortality, require prompt identification and implementation of infection control activities (for example, isolation, special personal protective equipment), and require rapid notification to public health authorities and special action. Examples of high-consequence infectious diseases or special pathogens include Ebola, Marburg or other viral hemorrhagic fever diseases and Nipah. Pathogens that fit these criteria may change, however, to reflect current regional or global outbreaks or to include future emerging agents.

Click below for more information on the Acute Care Hospital Outbreaks and Biothreat Response teams.

Acute Care Hospital Outbreaks

• To report a suspected or confirmed outbreak, refer to the Reportable Disease List regarding reporting instructions: http://ph.lacounty.gov/acd/docs/ReportableDiseaseList.pdf

Biothreat Response

• To report a suspected case of Anthrax, Botulism, Smallpox, Ebola and Marburg, or other Viral Hemorrhagic Fever, immediately call the ACDC main phone number at 213-240-7941 (M-F 8am-5pm) or 213-974-1234 (after hours, weekends, holidays)