Communicable Disease Control


Communicable Disease Control


This program prevents the spread of disease by investigating cases and outbreaks, promoting vaccination, and planning for infectious disease emergencies.

 

  • Surveillance and investigation of reported communicable diseases
  • Collaboration with hospital, physicians, and laboratories in reporting diseases
  • Education and information to the professional and lay communities
  • Provide support and investigation of biological or chemical threats


Crystal Gonzalez, BSN, RN
Communicable Disease Nurse
cgonzalez@polknc.org
office: 828-894-8271
fax: 828-894-8678


To Report A Disease:

or call:  828-894-8271

 

What Diseases are Reportable?

NC Reportable Diseases

Required notification times are effective from the time that a reportable condition is reasonably suspected to exist and range from immediate to seven days, depending on the disease. Immediate reporting is required for potential bioterrorism-related diseases such as anthrax and botulism; the severe or highly communicable diseases such as cholera and cryptosporidiosis, must be reported within 24 hours of diagnosis; other conditions such as mumps and chlamydia, have a seven-day reporting timeframe.

 

Diseases Reportable within 24 Hours 

Telephone reports are requested within 24 hours for diseases of unusual significance, incidence, or occurrence which may merit an epidemiological evaluation including foodborne and waterborne outbreaks where a common source is suspected.

For diseases and conditions required to be reported within 24 hours, the initial report shall be made by telephone to the Communicable Disease Nurse at 828-894-8271.

NC Communicable Disease Reporting Form should also be completed and faxed to 828-894-8678.

 

Telephone reports should include:

  • disease
  • date of onset
  • name of person making report
  • telephone number of person making the report
  • laboratory confirmation, if available
  • patient name
  • patient address
  • patient age
  • patient sex
  • patient race

 

Diseases Reportable Within 7 Days

For diseases and conditions that must be reported within 7 days, a Communicable Disease Reporting Form should be completed and faxed to the health department at 828-894-8678.