Final answer:
If informed about a reportable disease, the individual should stay home to prevent spreading the disease and seek medical help. Reportable diseases must also be notified to health authorities like the CDC via the NNDSS.
Step-by-step explanation:
Actions to Take for Reportable Diseases
When someone informs you that they have been diagnosed with a reportable disease and show symptoms, it is crucial to take two actions. First, the individual should stay home and avoid contact with others to prevent the spread of the disease. This includes not attending school, work, or public gatherings. They should practice good hygiene by covering their mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing and washing their hands often. Second, the person should seek medical attention to receive the appropriate treatment and guidance from healthcare professionals. Furthermore, as reportable diseases must be monitored for public health safety, it is vital that the case is reported to the local health authorities or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS).
Role of the CDC and Public Health Organizations
Public health organizations such as the CDC play an important role in overseeing the NNDSS and ensuring that data about the incidence of reportable diseases are accurately collected and used to inform healthcare providers and the public. Epidemiological studies and the reporting system help in tracking and managing public health threats efficiently.