Communicable diseases (CD) are those conditions that can be spread to others through air, touch, or through contact with contaminated body fluids. At Deschutes County Health Services, we work to prevent the spread of these diseases in many ways. The CD team is made up of the following programs:
Disease Reporting
Diseases that public health departments across Central Oregon keep track of are called "reportable" diseases. All physicians, healthcare providers and laboratory personnel are required by law to submit reportable disease information to their local health department.** There are currently over 50 communicable diseases that are reportable in Oregon. To learn more about these diseases, please visit: http://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/DiseasesAZ/Lists/Diseases%20AZ%20List/list.aspx
**When reports are made, all personal patient information is kept confidential.
Deschutes County Health Services has staff available to answer questions and investigate reportable communicable diseases. To report a disease or animal bite, call or fax your local health department. Give them the person's name, address, phone number, date of birth, diagnosis, and the date that symptoms began.
REPORTING LINE (541) 322-7418
FAX (541) 322-7618
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Prevent Getting the Flu This Year. Receive Your Vaccination.
Flu season can begin as early as October. Vaccination is the most effective way to avoid catching the flu virus and the best way to protect the community from illness. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone-6 months and older- receive an annual influenza vaccination. Deschutes County Health Services offers flu vaccine for children 6 months to 18 years of age.
Children 6 months through 8 years may need two doses of flu vaccine, depending on previous flu vaccine history, so it is important to talk to your provider. Flu vaccine is available through local health care providers as well as most pharmacies (for people 11 years and older). Call the Deschutes County Health Services Department at (541) 322-7400 to schedule a flu vaccine for your child.
The 2011-12 seasonal flu vaccine protects against the same strains as last year: H1N1, H3N2 and Influenza B. People who had a flu vaccination last year should also get a flu shot this year as immunity may have worn off. Locally, flu season peaks in January and February but the virus is unpredictable and can begin as early as October. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza, getting your vaccine now will help protect you throughout flu season.
In addition to vaccination, these preventive measures can help stop flu and other diseases:
1. Cover your cough and sneeze,
2. Wash your hands often-use soap and warm water,
3. Stay home when you’re sick-protect others at school and work by staying home at least 24-hours after a fever (100+ degrees) ends,
4. Keep surfaces clean-flu germs can live for hours on hard surfaces. Make sure your home and workspace are wiped down frequently, especially where children are playing.
Each flu season is unique, but it’s estimated that on average approximately 5 to 20 percent of U.S. residents get the flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year for flu-related complications and about 36,000 Americans die on average, per year from flu complications. For more information about influenza, visit www.flu.oregon.gov .
