Contact Info
Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
651-201-5414
Unexplained Critical Illnesses and Deaths
Cases of unexplained critical illnesses or deaths of possible infectious etiology should be reported to the Minnesota Department of Health.
If you are aware of patient with a critical illness, or who has died:
- with hallmarks of infection (e.g. fever, leukocytosis)
- and an unknown etiology after initial testing is completed
- Reporting an Unexplained Critical Illness or Death
How to report, testing provided, and examples of cases that should be reported.
- Clinical Specimen Collection and Handling
Types of specimens, collection and handling information, submission form, and shipping information.
Testing provided through the Unexplained Critical Illness and Deaths Project for unexplained deaths that appear likely to have infectious etiologies will be primarily pathology-directed. Therefore, it is important when possible to provide optimal pathology specimens.
- Unexplained Critical Illnesses and Deaths Statistics
Minnesota Department of Health Disease Control Newsletter, Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health.
- Medical Examiner Infectious Deaths Surveillance Program (MED-X)
A population based surveillance program to capture all possible infectious disease related deaths reported to Medical Examiners in Minnesota.
Program Description | Case Definition | Protocol | Reporting | Specimen Collection | Statistics | Frequently Asked Questions | Resources
Last Updated: 10/19/2022