How do I report a suspected case?
Pesticide poisoning is a reportable condition by state law that requires all healthcare providers and laboratories to report suspected and confirmed pesticide-related illnesses within 24 hours. Please report hospitalizations and deaths immediately.
Mandatory reporting is easy. Enter the information about the suspected or confirmed pesticide exposure using the online Confidential Oregon Morbity Reporting System (Memento Morbi). Medical records contain confidential information subject to federal and state law. Submission as prescribed will not violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA (Pub. L. 104-191; 45 CFR Part 160 and Part 164, Subparts A & E).
Questions about reporting? Call the PEST Program: 971-673-0400 (M-F, 8-5), or Your Local Health Department.
What happens when a case is reported?
Upon receiving medical record reports, a public health investigator may follow-up with the patient through a phone call to find out more about the pesticide exposure, including:
- The pesticide product - active ingredient and EPA registration number found on the label
- How the person was exposed
- Factors that contributed to the exposure
- Onset and duration of symptoms
The information collected guides public health prevention efforts, which may include recommendations for policy, outreach, education and coordination with the Pesticide Analytical Response Center (PARC).
With consent from the patient (or guardian) public health may share information about the pesticide exposure with PARC. PARC coordinates the efforts of eight different state agencies in Oregon. PARC regularly reviews pesticide exposure incidents to better understand the impact of pesticides on community and environmental health. Individual agencies may carry out policy, enforcement or preventative action(s) as determined by PARC review.
Who should I contact if I have more questions?
If you have questions, please contact PEST program staff.