The Epidemiology Program aims to optimize the health of Southwest Georgians by preventing and mitigating certain communicable and/or notifiable infectious diseases.
The Epidemiology and Surveillance Program fulfills its purpose by using epidemiologic methods to:
- Conduct surveillance of infectious diseases in order to assess changes and trends in disease occurrence, natural history, and pathways of exposure.
- Identify and respond to emerging infectious disease threats through monitoring surveillance systems.
- Provide support to local and county Health Departments and private partners in identifying and investigating outbreaks or increases in endemic rates of disease, and collecting and disseminating data.
- Disseminate public health information, statistical reports, outbreak investigation reports, and educational materials
- Participate in preparedness planning, response and recovery efforts.
Programs
Publications
Health Data
Additional Resources
PHIP: To inquire about additional data not available through OASIS, please visit the Georgia Department of Public Health’s online Public Health Information Portal by clicking here.
Georgia DPH: The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead state agency in preventing disease, injury and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters from a health perspective. Locally, DPH funds and collaborates with Georgia’s 159 county health departments and 10 public health districts. For more information about the Georgia Department of Public Health, its programs and resources, please visit their website by clicking here.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
STD Testing, Treatment & Follow Up
STD testing (screening) and treatment services are available at at all 14 county health health departments. These services are offered by appointment. Specially trained healthcare providers are available for evaluation, testing and appropriate treatment for common sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
As a part of our STD services we also provide 100% confidential routine HIV antibody screenings. In addition, testing and treatment services are available for many lesser known STDs as well. The health department offers lab testing, on-site medication dispensing, STD patient education and partner notification and treatment services.
STD Screening
- Chlamydia (Urine / Culture)
- Gonorrhea (Urine / Culture)
- Herpes (Blood Test / Culture)
- HIV (Blood Test)
- HPV (Blood Test / Culture)
- Syphilis (Blood Test)
Immunizations
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
STD Counseling and Treatment
Communicable Disease Specialists are available to educate you about each sexually transmitted disease and ways to control their spread.
STD Partner Notification
Partner notification is a process where sex partners are contacted by the health department and notified that they have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease. This information is confidential and the person who gave their name will remain anonymous.
Congenital Syphilis Prevention
Watch Video for Education
Hepatitis Control
Hepatitis Control
Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program
The Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program works to prevent the spread of the hepatitis B virus from a mother to her newborn baby. If a baby’s mother is infected with hepatitis B virus, the baby can also become infected at birth. Nine in ten children that get the hepatitis B virus during the first year of life will carry the virus throughout their lives. These children have a higher risk of developing liver diseases like cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Our Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program’s mission is to prevent new cases of hepatitis B. The program also works to prevent the spread of the hepatitis B virus to any household and/or sexual contacts of pregnant women. If the woman is infected with the hepatitis B virus, her contacts are offered hepatitis B testing. If they are at risk of becoming infected or are not protected from infection, they are offered hepatitis B vaccine through one of our public health clinics.
Viral Hepatitis Program
The Viral Hepatitis Program seeks to prevent the spread of viral hepatitis by conducting follow up with infected persons and their household and sexual contacts. The Program also conducts surveillance in order to measure the disease burden in our health district, and to provide data that can guide prevention and control activities. Current activities in the program include: surveillance for acute hepatitis A, acute and chronic hepatitis B and C, hepatitis immunization for high-risk populations, hepatitis testing in our clinics, professional and public education, and referral services for persons exposed to hepatitis A and B.
Informational Materials
General Information
Hepatitis A Prevention Information
Hepatitis B – Are You At Risk?
For Asian Americans: English, Burmese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Hmong, Khmer, Korean, Lao, and Vietnamese
For Native Hawaiians & Pacific Islanders
For People From Africa: English, Amharic, Arabic, French, Somali, Swahili
Hepatitis B & Your Family
For Asian Americans: English, Burmese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Hmong, Khmer, Korean, Lao, and Vietnamese
For Native Hawaiians & Pacific Islanders
For People From Africa: Amharic, Arabic, French, Somali, Swahili
Notifiable Disease
Notifiable Disease Epidemiology
“The Georgia Department of Public Health, under the legal authority of OCGA 31-12-2 and with the approval of the Board of Human Resources, has designated certain diseases and conditions notifiable. The purpose of reportable disease surveillance is to :
- Identify in a timely way any diseases or conditions that may require immediate public health intervention and follow up
- Detect changing trends or patterns in disease occurrence
- Identify areas or communities that require special public health response as a result of changes in disease patterns
- Assess and evaluate control and prevention interventions
In Georgia, public health surveillance is conducted on more than 70 diseases and conditions. The data are collected by local and state health agencies who are responsible for analyzing, interpreting and disseminating the information to “those who need to know” for administrative, program planning, and decision making purposes. Georgia Department of Public Health
Notifiable Disease Reporting Poster
All Georgia physicians, laboratories and other health care providers are required by law to report patients with the following conditions to the Health Department. Both lab-confirmed and clinical diagnoses are reportable within the time intervals specified on the Notifiable Disease Reporting Poster. Reporting enables appropriate public health follow-up for your patients, helps identify outbreaks, and provides a better understanding of disease trends in Georgia.
Georgia Notifiable Disease Report Form
How to Report Diseases
- Phone ~ 229-352-4275, Ask to speak to the Epidemiologist on Call
- Fax ~ 229-4307853 (secured and confidential fax line for disease reporting)
- On line through the State Electronic Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (SENDSS)
- You can also report a disease, outbreak, or other Public Health issue by calling 1.866.PUB.HLTH. All reports will be directed to the local Epidemiologist.
Helpful Links
Infection Control
Infection control is important everywhere in our community. Simple measures such as hand washing and covering your cough can prevent the spread of infectious illnesses. Below you will find many links to infection control tools and information. Please contact our Epidemiology Department if you have any questions or need additional information about any of these topics. Call 770.339.4260, ask for the “Epi on Call”.
Tips to Protect Your Family from Norovirus
Is Your Child Too Sick for School? English