Disease Reporting -- "It's not just a good idea, it's the law"
Our goal is to improve and or maintain the health status of the citizens of Crook County by preventing and or reducing the incidence of communicable disease, through outreach education, epidemiological investigation and screening clinics for communicable disease.
Oregon state law requires the tracking of communicable diseases in order to prevent and control disease outbreaks. To ensure the safety of the community, the law also requires Physicians, Healthcare Providers and Labs to report all “reportable” diseases to the local health department*.
When someone tests positive for a reportable communicable disease, we assess the situation, determine potential exposure, and assist contacts in obtaining necessary testing and treatment needed to control the spread of the disease. We work closely with physicians throughout the community in this effort. Simple and inexpensive means exist which are effective in interrupting the transmission of disease. Tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases and vaccine preventable diseases are prime examples of diseases in which communicable disease control measures have proven effective.
*All personal information is kept confidential when reports are made.
Prevention
Many diseases can be prevented through simple and inexpensive methods:
- Practice proper hand washing and wash your hands often!
- Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces (Download)
- Stay up to date with immunizations.
- Follow your doctor’s orders and use antibiotics properly.
- Cover your cough with a tissue or your inner elbow.