Which agency is responsible for voluntarily reporting cases of Lyme disease to the CDC?

The correct answer is that the state health department is responsible for voluntarily reporting cases of Lyme disease to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). State health departments collect data on various health issues, including infectious diseases like Lyme disease, which is transmitted by ticks. They serve as the primary point for surveillance and reporting to federal agencies, ensuring that comprehensive and accurate public health data is communicated.

By reporting Lyme disease cases, state health departments help the CDC monitor trends, understand the epidemiology of the disease, and allocate resources effectively to manage public health risks. The data collected can be utilized to inform prevention strategies, educate healthcare providers and the public, and conduct research to improve health outcomes concerning tick-borne diseases.

Other organizations mentioned, like a local Red Cross chapter or hospital infection control department, do not have the primary function of reporting infectious disease cases to the CDC in the same structured manner. The Office of the Surgeon General primarily focuses on overarching public health policy and does not directly engage in the reporting of individual cases of diseases. Thus, the state health department plays a crucial role in disease surveillance and reporting efforts, making them the correct agency responsible for this activity.