Epidemiology

What Services Are Available?

The Disease Outbreak Control Program (Epidemiology) monitors and investigates certain diseases that can be passed from one person to another (communicable). Florida law requires all healthcare providers, hospitals, and laboratories to report certain diseases to the health department.

Epidemiology staff members take action to prevent infectious disease outbreaks from occurring in Highlands County.

In addition, they also provide the following services to the citizens of Highlands County:

• Monitoring and reporting of communicable diseases and conditions
• Field investigation of cases and outbreaks
• Lead poisoning prevention services, such as screening, surveillance, and case management
• Community outreach and health education activities
• Public Health Preparedness (getting ready for disasters and disease outbreaks or events)

Local businesses, civic organizations, and other agencies may contact the Disease Outbreak Control Program to request information on the following:

• Bacterial and viral meningitis
• Childhood lead poisoning
• Hand washing
• MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)
• Pertussis (whooping cough)
• Rabies
• Salmonella
• Seasonal flu and bird flu
• Shigella
• West Nile Virus and other communicable diseases.