The purpose of the Communicable Disease Program is to prevent and control the spread of communicable diseases (diseases that are known as infectious or transmissible). Activities carried out in support of this program include:

1. Immunizing the public against vaccine preventable communicable diseases.
2. Reporting communicable diseases.
3. Investigating cases and outbreaks of suspected reportable diseases.
4. Educating the medical community and the population about measures to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

The Public Health Nurses (PHN) and an Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) are responsible for the case investigation and surveillance of potential outbreaks of food-borne and enteric illnesses (characterized by diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever, and other symptoms).

Rabies Program

A Public Health Nurse is responsible for investigating reports of people being bitten by animals. This may include sending an animal for rabies testing.  Health Department staff work with Person County Animal Services to obtain bite reports and complete investigation steps.

Tuberculosis (TB) Control Program

The goal of the TB Control Program is to limit the spread of TB; interrupt transmission through appropriate disease treatment; minimize the number of people who become newly infected; and provide preventive treatment to those who are infected. These goals ae met by investigating cases, contact tracing, laboratory and medication services.  Care is provided to TB patients, individuals who have been in contact with these people, and individuals suspected of contact. The program offers free diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of suspected cases of TB, confirmed cases of TB and individuals suspected of being a contact of TB.