Contra Costa Communicable

Contra Costa Public Health Communicable Disease Programs works under the California Department of Public Health. It maintains a communicable disease surveillance and investigation unit provides consultation and information regarding communicable diseases, including hepatitis, rabies, plague, enteric pathogens and other general CD problems. The unit investigates reports of salmonella, shigella and hepatitis cases to determine source, discuss transmission and recommend contact prophylaxis. In addition, when restaurants or day care centers are involved, the communicable disease surveillance and investigation unit coordinates and directs the epidemiological field investigation and works closely with environmental health and the public health officials. Located in Martinez, Calif., it performs duties related to curbing diseases that include specimen collection, exclusion from work and school and placement in isolation during contagious period.