Protection against infection law

Synonym(s)

IfSG

The Federal Epidemics Act (BGB I. S. 1012 of 18.7.1971), which regulates the compulsory notification of certain infectious diseases, has been replaced by the Infection Protection Act since 1.1.2001.
The attending physician, any other person professionally engaged in nursing care, the midwife, the head of the family and the coroner are obliged to report suspected cases, illness or death of certain diseases (see below obligation to report) to the public health department (lower health authority) immediately or within 24 hours at the latest.
Violations will be punished as an administrative offence. Forms can be obtained free of charge from the municipal health offices (see below obligation to report).
In comparison to the Federal Epidemics Act, the main changes for doctors and diagnostic institutes are in the reporting system and the obligation to record nosocomial infections and pathogens with special resistance. The IfSG differentiates between an obligation to report diseases and an obligation to report the detection of pathogens and provides for catch-all measures for new or previously nonexistent infections in Germany. In addition to an obligation to report the frequent occurrence of nosocomial infections, selected nosocomial infections or their pathogens must be recorded and evaluated by hospitals and institutions for outpatient surgery. This is intended to promote independent quality management.