Communicable Disease
A communicable disease is an illness or infection that can be spread from person to person, animal to person, animal to animal or person to animal. Communicable disease is the leading cause of sickness and death worldwide and is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Many communicable diseases can be prevented with immunizations. Please see the Immunization page for more information.
Information on specific communicable diseases can be found at the following link: Communicable Disease Fact Sheets. Contact your Primary Care physician immediately if you feel you may have been exposed to any of the diseases listed.
Physicians, laboratories, school nurses, day care center directors, nursing homes/hospitals, and state institutions or other healthcare facilities are required by New York State law to report suspected or confirmed communicable diseases to the local health department.
Hamilton County Public Health conducts follow-up investigations based on communicable disease reports received in accordance with New York State Code Rules and Regulations, Public Health Law, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. All information is confidential.
Communicable Disease Links:
- Influenza
- Measles
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Hepatitis
- HIV/AIDS
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Tuberculosis
- Rabies
Information for Providers
Communicable Disease Reporting Requirements
Communicable Disease Reporting Form (DOH-389)