Epidemiology

A communicable disease is an illness spread by coming in contact with someone or something that is infectious. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites are the most common organisms causing communicable disease. These illnesses can be passed from person (or animal) to person through direct contact with body fluids, ingesting contaminated food or water, breathing contaminated air, or by the bite of an infected animal.

In Ohio, there are more than 80 reportable illnesses, such as hepatitis C, chlamydia, salmonellosis and pertussis. View the entire list of reportable disease in Ohio here.

According to the Ohio Administrative Code, section 3701-3, all laboratories are required to report all positive lab results. Physicians, and other health professionals, are required to report all positive and suspect cases. Reports are made to the local health district where the patient lives.All information reported is kept confidential.

All cases are reviewed.Some reported diseases require only collection of data for statistics. Others may require a personal letter and education about the reported illness. Certain diseases require more in-depth investigation with patient contact and interview.

Specific information regarding the history of disease, such as symptom onset, treatment, and recent activity, is helpful in understanding disease impact to the patient and to the community. Analysis of the collected information can aide in identifying links between disease outbreaks and sources of infection. Investigations provide ideal opportunities to educate the public regarding communicable disease prevention, transmission and treatment.