smittskyddslagen

Smittskyddslagen is a Swedish statute that governs protection against contagious diseases and measures to prevent their spread. The act applies to individuals, healthcare providers, and public authorities and provides the legal framework for surveillance and control of infectious diseases in Sweden.

Key elements include notifiable diseases, reporting duties, and data collection by public health authorities; responsibilities for healthcare providers to report suspected or confirmed cases, to collect necessary information, and to follow infection control guidelines; information to the public about circulating infections; and measures to prevent transmission, including vaccination programs and, when necessary, isolation or other restrictions under the authority of the public health system.

Implementation is organized at national, regional, and local levels. The Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten) defines the list of notifiable diseases and coordinates national surveillance; county and municipal authorities implement measures and provide local support; healthcare providers and laboratories have legal reporting duties and must protect patient confidentiality and personal data.

The act functions as a core part of Sweden’s public health framework and interacts with broader health, labor, and data protection legislation. It is routinely updated to address evolving health threats and to refine balance between public health interests and individual rights. In practice, Smittskyddslagen supports rapid information sharing, targeted interventions, and coordinated responses across public health authorities during outbreaks.