Webster County Health Unit Protecting and promoting the health and safety of citizens in Webster County

Since 1957

Home Community Services Women's Health WIC Program Diseases Nursing Services Environmental Vital Records About Us			Communicable Disease A communicable disease is defined as "any disease that can be passed from one person or animal to another, either directly through body fluids or discharge, or indirectly through surfaces, substances or vectors like flies or mosquitoes." Because there are many communicable diseases present in our society today, the Webster County Health Unit participates in active surveillance to track diseases and their spread. When a communicable disease is reported to the health unit, staff follow up with personal contact to the affected person. They try to find out how the illness might have been acquired and who else may be at risk of developing the disease. Staff provide or recommend appropriate treatment and offer prevention information. One example of a communicable disease is tuberculosis (Tb). Tb is a chronic infection caused by bacterium that usually settles in the lungs. It is spread by droplets when an infected person coughs on another person. The health unit carefully monitors tuberculosis cases in the county and provides case management to those affected by the illness. Careful surveillance partnered with a quick response has effectively slowed the spread of disease for years and continues to protect public health in Webster County.
			2005 © Copyright Webster County Health Unit, Marshfield, Missouri