Disease Prevention & Reporting

For Residents

If you or someone you know has recently experienced symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach cramps after eating food from a restaurant or public event in Bastrop County, we encourage you to please fill out and submit the form below.

Submitting reports will help us identify potential outbreaks and ensure timely public health responses, including inspections and follow-up.

If you believe there is another issue that requires investigation from Bastrop County Public Health Department, please email public.health@co.bastrop.tx.us.

Foodborne Illness Complaint

For Healthcare Providers

Report a Notifiable Disease

• DSHS Notifiable Conditions
• Submit a Report 

Public Health Guidance and Recommendations

Disease Outbreak Guidelines and Tools

• Infectious Disease Preparedness & Response Plan
• Measles Vaccine and Post Exposure Prophylaxis Guidance for Healthcare Providers
• Measles Fact Sheet
• Measles FAQ
• Flu and Measles Briefing Report (2/24/2025)

Texas Public Health Laws & Regulations

Texas Health and Safety Code and statute Chapters 81, 84, and 87 require that specific information regarding certain diseases or injuries be reported to the health department. These diseases and injuries are known as "notifiable conditions" and are updated yearly.

• Chapter 81
• Chapter 84
• Chapter 87

Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 97

Healthcare providers, hospitals, laboratories, schools, and others must report patients suspected of having a notifiable condition.

Health Authorities in Texas

The BCPHD Health Authority has two core jobs: they must carry out and enforce all state laws designed to protect your health, and they must perform any duties specifically requested by the State Health Department. This means their work directly includes:

• Stopping Disease Outbreaks: They are responsible for setting up and enforcing quarantines to quickly stop infectious diseases from spreading in our area.
• Tracking and Reporting Sickness: They must immediately report to the State about any dangerous, contagious diseases or epidemics (like flu outbreaks or pandemics) occurring in our community.
• Aiding the State: They help the State Health Department with inspections, disease prevention, and ensuring general sanitation (cleanliness) in our jurisdiction.
• Enforcing Health Rules: They ensure that all important public health laws, sanitation rules, and quarantine orders are being followed locally.
• Collecting Vital Records: They assist the State in accurately collecting important records, such as birth and death statistics.

In short, the Health Authority is your local leader responsible for public health safety, disease control, and working with the State to keep our community healthy.

For more information on the role of the health authority, see HSC Chapter 121, Subchapter B, Section(s) 121.021-121.025 - Health Authorities