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Infectious Disease

A major focus of public health has always been the investigation and control of communicable diseases. These diseases are reported to the local health department, which in turn submits the information to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). ODH then forwards the reports to the Center for Disease Control. The timely reporting helps to rapidly control the spread of disease through the treatment and education of affected individuals and the identification of carriers.

Communicable and infectious diseases are classified by their severity of disease and potential for epidemic spread. These diseases are governed by the health department under Ohio Administrative Code Sections 3701.3.02 and 3701.3.13.

If you have a Reportable Condition see our 24/7/365 contact information here. If you are a facility with a reportable disease please complete the Ohio Confidential Reportable Disease Form.  You may fax to the Nursing Clinic at (419) 586-3910 or mail to the Health District.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Health District nurse find out I am sick?

When your doctor makes the diagnosis or the lab test comes back positive for a reportable condition, your doctor or the lab is required by law to report your illness to the Health District. They may do this by phone, fax, or through the Ohio Department of Health Disease Report System, which is a computerized database.

Why does the Health District need to know about my illness?

The illness may be one that can easily spread to other family members or the public. The Health District can provide you with information to help prevent this from happening. We may also work with you and your employer to ensure you do not come into contact with others until you are no longer contagious. In addition, you can seek treatment. This is done in a manner that protects your privacy and does not use your name.

Alternatively, the illness may be one that can spread rapidly in a community through food, water, or animals (such as mosquitoes and bats), potentially with deadly consequences. In such cases, the Health District works with you and your doctor to identify effective methods to contain and treat the disease.

Who will you tell about my illness?

The Health District keeps communicable disease reports confidential. We do not release your name to the media. We do not release your name to your co-workers, or even other family members without your express permission. We will talk to parents about their child’s illness except in cases of sexually transmitted diseases, for which a minor can seek treatment without parental consent. We do not verify information on cases to anyone except the physician involved and possibly to other health departments should there be a widespread outbreak.

Who can I talk to if I have more questions?

If you have questions about the communicable disease program, the reporting process, or diseases in general, you can call the Health District office at (419) 586-3251 extension 6-1464 or 6-1455.

Resources:

Ohio Department of Health (ODH):
Ohio Department of Health | Infectious Diseases

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
CDC | Infection Control

Reportable Diseases:
Ohio Department of Health | ABC Guide for Reportable diseases

Cleaning:
Environmental Protection Agency | Guidance For Cleaning And Disinfecting 

Pertussis Information:
PERTUSSIS INFORMATION

Head Lice Information:
HEAD LICE INFORMATION

Health Services Forms

Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases

West Nile virus (WNV) is an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) most commonly spread by infected mosquitoes that can lead to severe fever, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord).  The primary vector in Ohio is the northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens.  Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds.  Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to humans and other animals when they bite.

Approximately 80 percent of people who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all, but there is no way to know in advance if you will develop an illness or not.  Those who do develop symptoms usually do so between three to 14 days after they are bitten by the infected mosquito:

  • Serious symptoms in a few people.  About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness.  The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.  These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.
  • Milder symptoms in some people.  Up to 20 percent of people who become infected will have symptoms that can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back.  Symptoms can last for a few days to as long as several weeks. There is no specific treatment for WNV infection, and care is based on symptoms.

Ways to reduce the chance of exposure to mosquitoes include reducing water-holding areas around your home that provide breeding habitats for mosquitoes, using insect repellant containing DEET on exposed skin (especially during early morning hours and early evening hours), or covering exposed skin with clothing.

The Ohio Department of Health monitors vector-borne diseases in the state. 

 

Rabies is a zoonotic disease mainly transmitted through animal bites. If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal, it must be reported to the health department.

 

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or ‘bird flu’ is a dangerous viral disease of wild birds and domestic poultry. It is a significant threat to animal and human health, food supply, and the global economy. Find more information below:

Avian Influenza Information

Avian Influenza Signs & Symptoms

How Does Avian Influenza Spread

What If I Have Sick Birds

Information on Backyard Bird / Poultry Flocks and Bird Enthusiasts, Hunters, Veterinarians

 

Visit Ohio Department of Health’s Zoonotic Disease Homepage for more information.