Communicable disease surveillance is a multi-component system that monitors and analyzes data that includes – but is not limited to – demographic, geographic, and disease/condition-specific information. Accurate identification and timely reporting are integral parts of successful disease control, enabling public health agencies to:

• identify contacts who may be infected or other individuals at risk for infection,

• determine the incidence and prevalence of disease in a specific area of the state,

• assist physicians and hospitals in evaluating illnesses in their patients and communities, and

• assist the public in making better decisions regarding their health and lifestyle.

Successful communicable disease surveillance enhances control efforts; such as developing prevention/intervention strategies and policies, and responding to events involving potential exposure to communicable disease.

The goal of DHSS disease surveillance is to maintain an integrated statewide surveillance system for communicable, zoonotic, and environmentally induced health threats and to disseminate this information rapidly to customers.