Oklahoma Health Alert Network (OK-HAN)
The Oklahoma Health Alert Network (OK-HAN) system is an emergency notification system maintained and operated by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). The OK-HAN system is used to distribute emergent health information to health care providers and public health partners.
If you would like access to OK-HAN, please contact the OK-HAN Coordinator at (405) 426-8710 or okhan@health.ok.gov.
The OK-HAN system operates as part of a nationwide network of Health Alert Networks (HANs), and follows guidelines and policies set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). HANs were originally created in 1999 when 33 states and 3 City/County Health Departments were funded to develop capabilities for emergency communications. After the Bioterrorism Act of 2002, all US States and Territories were tasked to develop such systems that included distributing notifications in a secure format.
The OK-HAN system consists of a secure website where registered users have the ability to log on and access distributed notifications, information stored in document libraries, as well as secure communications through the OK-HAN bulletin boards. The document libraries serve as a resource for users to have the ability to view and share documents in a secure format. Users must maintain their personal profile to ensure that they can be reached in the event of a public health emergency.
The current network of contacts include physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, veterinarians, public health nurses, infection control practitioners, laboratorians, county health department personnel, and various other federal, state, and local public health partners. Individuals in these professions are encouraged to register for access to the OK-HAN secure website.
Current OK-HAN notifications are sent based upon a user’s role and location. Notifications are targeted to those that will have a direct response through seeing patients, answering questions at county health departments, or disease reporting. OK-HAN messages are sent using categories of Alert, Advisory, and Update. The following table describes the different levels of notifications.
| Type of Notification | Description |
| Alert | Highest level of notification that the Oklahoma State Department of Health will send out. This usually refers to an immediate threat to the OSDH community and requires immediate action. |
| Advisory | Advises medical providers of a condition in the area. These are usually not medical emergencies. These may not require immediate action. |
| Update | Provides updates on previous alerts or advisories. These are unlikely to require immediate action. |
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Acute Disease Service
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave, Ste. 1702
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406
Physical Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Acute Disease Service
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave
Oklahoma City, OK
Phone (405) 426-8710
Fax (405) 900-7591
adservice@health.ok.gov
