Communicable Diseases are a growing concern in the health care community.  Increases in communicable disease may be a result of a lack of immunizations, increased international travel, antibiotic resistant organisms, unsafe food handling practices, and unsafe sexual behavior.

At the Van Wert County General Health District, a public health nurse tracks the occurrence, spread and treatment of these diseases in a community.  They are also available for education, consultation and referral if necessary.  They perform TB skin tests and immunizations at the office.  …more on the immunization clinic

The Ohio Administrative Code requires that certain diseases are reported to the local health jurisdiction.  The health care provider or laboratory must report to the local health jurisdiction in which the case or suspected case resides, or if the residence is outside Ohio or unknown, to the local health jurisdiction in which the health care provider or laboratory is located.  Local health jurisdictions must then report diseases to the Ohio Department of Health. Reporting requirements depend on the disease.  Some diseases must be reported immediately via telephone while other diseases may be reported by the next business day.  For a complete listing of reportable diseases view this document:  Know Your ABCs: A Quick Guide to Reportable Infectious Diseases in Ohio.