Disease Surveillance
The Dorchester County Health Department Communicable Disease Program provides surveillance for all reportable diseases within Dorchester County. The list of required reportable communicable diseases can be found at www.edcp.org and click on reportable diseases on left column. Health care providers are required by the state to report diseases which are potentially contagious to others, and would require investigation of contacts to stop the potential spread of the disease. The laboratories are also required to report certain diseases to the health department for further investigation by communicable disease staff. (Refer to internet site noted above for list of lab reportable diseases).
The Dorchester County Communicable Disease Program conducts disease investigation into all reportable diseases and submits reports of these diseases to the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DHMH). The CD program also conducts contact investigation and follow-up as needed. The Communicable Disease Program plays an important role in the containment of outbreaks and is responsible for investigating the situation to determine the potential infectious agent and its transmission route and source. This is to control/prevent the further spread of the infection to others. The Communicable Disease Program serves as an important resource for healthcare providers and community organizations and members as well, providing information on various communicable diseases, disease transmission facts, and necessary precautions to limit the risk or reduce/eliminate the spread of communicable disease.
Adult Immunizations
Adult immunizations are administered to decrease/eliminate vaccine preventable diseases and maintain health. These vaccines include annual influenza vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccine, MMR, and Tetanus vaccine. Rabies pre-exposure vaccine is also administered to high-risk individuals. These high-risk individuals include Veterinary hospital staff, animal hunters/trappers, and individuals conducting research on wildlife. Individuals ages 18 and above are eligible for adult immunization services. Costs vary according to vaccine. Appointments are necessary in order to have adequate vaccine supply available. Foreign travel vaccines are also administered to individuals traveling to at-risk areas of the world. These vaccines include the Hepatitis A vaccine and the Typhoid vaccine. Preventative measures to reduce risk exposure are discussed at the time of vaccination. All ages are eligible for foreign travel immunizations.
Employee Health is also an important part of the Communicable Disease Program. This includes annual PPD (TB) skin testing, review and update of employee immunizations, i.e., MMR, Varicella, & Tetanus, and employee Blood borne & Tuberculosis initial training and annual review.
Sexually Transmitted Disease
The Communicable Disease Program also includes a Sexually Transmitted Disease program and clinic, which provides examination and screening for sexually transmitted diseases with contact investigation and follow-up. Anyone requesting screening for an STD is eligible.
Fee: A $6.00 donation is accepted.
Hours of operation: Clinics are held on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:30am to 11:30am at 3 Cedar Street. Appointments are requested, but walk-ins are accommodated if possible.
For more information, please contact Lisa Lee, MSN; CRNP at (410) 228-3223.
Tuberculosis Program
Screening for Tuberculosis using PPD skin testing (Mantoux) is done. Sputum specimens are obtained and chest x-rays are done at the local hospital to R/O active TB disease. Tuberculosis medications are given under (DOT) Direct Observed Therapy for active TB patients, where TB staff observes each pill being taken by the patient. This insures compliance with the necessary treatment. Contact investigation is conducted on every active Tuberculosis patient. Each contact is then screened with a PPD skin test, sent for a chest x-ray if they have a positive PPD to rule out active disease, and then they are offered preventative treatment if their chest x-ray is negative for active disease. Preventative treatment is also available for those with Latent TB infection (inactive-non contagious) Tuberculosis.
Eligibility: Treatment for Tuberculosis (active disease) is provided by the Tuberculosis Program and is also coordinated with the patient’s healthcare provider if they have one. PPD skin test screening is available to anyone requesting screening.
Fee: Individuals requesting PPD skin testing are asked for a $6.00 donation to cover costs. If they are unable to pay, this service is provided free of charge. Treatment for active disease and their contacts is provided free of charge. Patients requesting PPD skin testing with a subsequent positive result will be sent for a follow-up chest x-ray. The cost of this chest x-ray is covered by the TB program, for any individual not having health insurance.
For more information, please contact Lisa Lee MSN;CRNP at (410) 228-3223.