Communicable Disease

Medical Records phone number: (336)703-3205

Communicable Disease main phone number: (336)703-3249

The NC Division of Public Health/Communicable Disease Branch has revised surveillance forms and supporting documents. The Confidential Report of Communicable Disease form is used by health care providers and local health department staff to report and investigate diseases that represent a public health threat according to 10A NCAC 41A.0101 Reportable Diseases and Conditions.

Communicable Disease Report (to be completed by physician)

Control of communicable disease in Forsyth County is handled by a team of Public Health nurses. Our main goal is to keep the public safe by preventing the spread of communicable disease. Reports are received from physician’s offices, labs, schools, daycares, food establishments and long term care facilities. Concerned citizens also call in with complaints. The Communicable Disease Nurse and Environmental Health Specialist may do an investigation jointly depending on the disease and the area involved within the community.

Pathogens are everywhere in a person’s daily environment. They enter our body through breathing, ingested food or water, open wounds, sexual contact or contact with contaminated objects. The General Communicable Disease Control Program provides investigation, surveillance, and prevention to protect the health of the public. When a communicable disease is reported, an investigation begins. The goal is to stop the spread of the disease and hopefully find the source.

Hand washing is the most important thing we can do to decrease the spread of communicable diseases. Washing fruits and vegetables before slicing, and disinfecting cutting boards and countertops is important in decreasing the spread of food borne illness. Not eating and drinking after others and not sharing razors and toothbrushes decreases the incidence of many communicable diseases.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Immunization Action Coalition
• FoodSafety.gov
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• N.C. Cooperative Extension Service