(1) The department, upon receiving a report under section 5611 or believing that a case or suspected case of occupational disease exists in this state, may investigate to determine the accuracy of the report and the cause of the disease.

    (2) To aid in the diagnosis or treatment of an occupational disease, the department shall advise the physician in charge of a patient of the nature of the hazardous substance or agent and the conditions of exposure of the patient as established by the investigation. In so doing the department shall protect the confidentiality of trade secrets or privileged information disclosed by the investigations in accordance with section 13 of Act No. 442 of the Public Acts of 1976, being section 15.243 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.