Which data element is typically recorded as the date when a case is reported to public health authorities?

• A. Geographic location
• B. Date of onset
• C. Labs
• D. Date of report

Answer: (D)

In surveillance, timeliness is tracked using the date the case is reported to public health authorities. This date is the official moment the case enters the surveillance system, serving as the anchor for measuring how quickly information is received and how delays are detected. It differs from the onset date, which is when symptoms began, and from laboratory or diagnosis dates, which reflect when the case was confirmed or tested. Geographic location identifies where the case is, while labs pertain to the lab results themselves. So the date of report is the best choice because it precisely marks when the case reaches public health data systems.