June 2021

2019 Annual NNDSS Infectious Disease Data Published

Finalized National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) 2019 annual infectious disease data tables are now available through the data and statistics section of the NNDSS webpage. These tables provide detailed information about the data:

• Table 1 displays reported infectious notifiable disease case counts and rates for the United States overall.
• Tables 2a–2t display reported infectious notifiable disease state- and territory-specific case counts.
• Table 3 displays reported infectious notifiable disease cases by month for the United States overall.
• Tables 4–7 display reported infectious notifiable disease case counts and rates by age group, sex, race, and ethnicity, respectively, for the United States overall.
• Table 8, a new table, provides the total resident population and population by age subgroups by reporting area (United States overall, Health and Human Services region, state, and territory) as a reference for population denominators used in rate calculations.

The list of national notifiable diseases for 2019 is available on the NNDSS website along with the respective national surveillance case definitions.

Streamlining NNDSS Data Submission

CDC is exploring ways to make it easier for jurisdictions to submit data using NNDSS. With data modernization opportunities in front of us, and many lessons learned from emergency response, NNDSS needs strategies that will reduce jurisdiction burden, streamline submission, respond to evolving data needs, and adapt to technology opportunities.

CDC has engaged MITRE, a federally funded research and development center, for recommendations. MITRE understands the NNDSS fundamentals and will reach out to jurisdictions for input as it develops recommendations. MITRE will apply its process engineering and information technology expertise to identify concrete, implementable changes that will have a positive impact. CDC anticipates being able to share MITRE’s recommendations in late summer or early fall 2021.

Reminder: New Timeline for 2020 NNDSS Data Reconciliation

CDC reminds jurisdictions that reconciliation of 2020 data is being pushed further into the summer. Reconciliation will formally begin in August 2021, with State and Territorial Epidemiologist signoff on the final data by October 29, 2021.

2020 Aggregate COVID-19 Case Counts:

CDC will ask jurisdictions to send final aggregate 2020 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case counts for inclusion in the 2020 National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) annual tables instead of reconciling individual cases. The tables will include confirmed, probable, and total cases of COVID-19 among U.S. residents, with stratifications by jurisdiction, demographic characteristics, and month. CDC will share additional information once it is available.

Jurisdictions should plan to send their aggregate COVID-19 data to CDC and complete State and Territorial Epidemiologist signoff on the aggregate data by October 29, 2021, which is the same deadline for approval of 2020 data for all other NNDSS conditions.