Report Communicable Disease - Toronto Bylaw Guide

Public Health and Welfare Ontario 4 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Ontario

Toronto, Ontario residents must report certain communicable diseases to Toronto Public Health and follow city and provincial public-health requirements. This guide explains who must report, how to submit a complaint or case report, what the Medical Officer of Health enforces, and practical next steps for residents, clinicians and institutions.

Who must report and when

Under provincial public-health legislation, regulated health professionals and laboratories have legal duties to report specific infectious diseases to the Medical Officer of Health for Toronto. Members of the public who suspect an outbreak or a notifiable case should contact Toronto Public Health immediately by the channels below. [1]

Report suspected outbreaks to Toronto Public Health as soon as possible.

How to report - step by step

Residents can report suspected communicable-disease cases or local outbreaks by phone or by using Toronto Public Health reporting forms for clinicians and institutions. Provide the patient details, symptoms, onset dates, possible exposures and any laboratory results if available. [1]

  • Call Toronto Public Health's reporting line for immediate concerns.
  • Clinicians and labs: use the province- and Toronto-approved case-reporting forms or electronic reporting systems.
  • Provide laboratory identifiers and specimen details when available to speed public-health response.
Keep records of reports and any reference numbers provided by public-health staff.

Penalties & Enforcement

The Medical Officer of Health at Toronto enforces reporting duties and may use orders and administrative measures to control communicable diseases. Specific monetary fines for failure to report or to comply with control orders are not specified on the cited Toronto Public Health page; consult the provincial statute for statutory offence provisions. [1] [2]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited Toronto Public Health page; see provincial legislation for statutory offence amounts and maximums. [2]
  • Escalation: first and repeat offences, and continuing offences, are governed by statute and by enforcement policy; exact escalation amounts or ranges are not specified on the cited Toronto Public Health page. [1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: health orders, mandatory isolation or treatment directions, facility closure orders, seizure of contaminated items, and court prosecutions are tools used by public-health authorities.
  • Enforcer: Medical Officer of Health and Toronto Public Health inspection and enforcement teams handle investigations and issue orders; complaints and reports route to Toronto Public Health. [1]
  • Inspection and complaint pathways: call Toronto Public Health or use the official reporting form for clinicians and institutions; urgent outbreaks should be reported by phone.
  • Appeals and review: orders under public-health legislation typically include appeal or review mechanisms to courts or tribunals; specific time limits for appeals are set by statute or the order itself and are not specified on the cited Toronto Public Health page. [2]
  • Defences and discretion: inspectors and the Medical Officer of Health may consider reasonable excuse, clinical necessity, or authorized exemptions when applying orders or sanctions.

Applications & Forms

Toronto Public Health provides reporting forms for clinicians and laboratories; some reports may be submitted electronically by designated systems. If a specific named form, fee or submission deadline is required for a type of report, Toronto Public Health posts it on its reporting pages. For many routine reports there is no public fee. [1]

Clinicians should retain a copy of submitted reports and any reference or incident number given by public-health staff.

Common violations and examples

  • Failure of a regulated health professional or laboratory to report a notifiable disease to the Medical Officer of Health when required.
  • Failure to comply with a public-health order, such as isolation or facility closure.
  • Failure by an institution to maintain or provide required records or to cooperate with an investigation.

FAQ

Who must report a suspected case?
Regulated health professionals and laboratories must report notifiable diseases; members of the public should notify Toronto Public Health if they suspect an outbreak or a serious communicable case. [1]
How do I report as a resident?
Call Toronto Public Health's reporting line for immediate concerns or use the contact and reporting resources on the Toronto Public Health website. [1]
What penalties could apply for non-compliance?
Penalties can include health orders, administrative measures and prosecution; specific fine amounts and appeal time limits are set by statute and are not specified on the cited Toronto Public Health page. [2]

How-To

  1. Collect basic information: patient name, contact, symptoms, onset date, exposures, and lab results if available.
  2. Contact Toronto Public Health immediately by phone for urgent cases or outbreaks, or follow the clinician reporting process on the official site.
  3. Submit any required reporting form or electronic notification; keep a copy of the submission and any reference number.
  4. Follow instructions from Toronto Public Health, including isolation, testing or facility-control measures, and provide requested records or access for inspection.

Key Takeaways

  • Report suspected notifiable diseases to Toronto Public Health promptly to protect the community.
  • Clinicians and labs have legal duties to report; residents should report outbreaks or urgent concerns by phone.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Toronto Public Health - Reportable diseases and reporting guidance
  2. [2] Health Protection and Promotion Act (Ontario)

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