Seasonal Influenza Cases
Seasonal influenza reporting guidelines are detailed in the latest SFDPH Influenza Health Advisory.
Residential Institutions: Please visit our Long-Term Care Facilities webpage for information and additional resources.
Fatal Influenza Form (Ages 0-17 years)
Laboratory Guidelines and Forms
- Specimen Collection Guidelines for Patients with Suspected Seasonal Influenza
- Public Health Laboratory Form: To be completed after consultation with Communicable Disease Control (415) 554-2830.
Novel or Variant Influenza
Report suspected cases of novel or variant influenza immediately to Communicable Disease Control at (415) 554-2830. After hours, weekends and holidays, please follow the instructions to page the on-call physician.
Novel influenza (“bird flu” e.g., A/H5N1 and A/H7N9 viruses) is characterized by influenza-like illness severe enough to require inpatient medical care in a person with recent (within 10 days of illness onset): (a) close contact with a confirmed or suspected case of human infection with a novel influenza virus; OR (b) travel to areas where a novel virus has been detected in humans or animals; OR (c) working with a novel influenza virus in a lab.
Variant influenza (“swine flu”) is caused by an influenza A virus that normally circulates in pigs and can occur sporadically in humans, most commonly among people who have direct or frequent contact with pigs.
For additional information, forms, and references please contact Communicable Disease Control (415) 554-2830.