The Infectious Diseases Act (IDA), which was enacted by Parliament in 1976 and came into force on 1 August 1977, is the principal piece of legislation that deals with the prevention and control of infectious diseases in Singapore. For the control of infectious diseases in Singapore, the IDA provides for the notification of specified infectious diseases. Notifications of infectious diseases is an important strategy allowing MOH to monitor and detect occurrences of infectious diseases, so that prompt epidemiological actions can be taken to institute control and prevention measures, to prevent further transmission of the disease, or to alleviate an outbreak. Under the Infectious Diseases (Notification of Infectious Diseases) Regulation 2008, notification of an infectious disease should be given by facsimile transmission (fax) or through the electronic notification system.