We work to control the spread of infectious or contagious diseases in Philadelphia.
These diseases are caused by various bacteria and viruses that can spread easily from person to person, through food and water, or are carried by animals and insects.
- Track and monitor 65 different infectious diseases and conditions – a process called surveillance
- Investigate cases of communicable diseases and conditions to find out how people got sick
- Aid in the control of communicable diseases by educating people about appropriate hygiene, providing medicine and vaccine to prevent disease among persons exposed to certain communicable diseases, and providing infection control guidance to facility administrators
- Recognize and investigate outbreaks of diseases
- Provide advice and consultation to doctors, nurses, administrators of long-term care facilities, and other healthcare professionals regarding the prevention and control of infectious diseases
- Provide guidance materials and educational services to schools, childcare programs, camps, shelters, and the public about how to control the spread of germs