About Communicable Disease Control
A communicable disease is an illness caused by a microbe that spreads from one person to another, from an animal to a person, from food, water, or a surface to a person. It is transmitted in several ways like direct contact with a sick person, through respiratory droplets during sneezing or coughing, or from contaminated food, water, surface, or air. Timely intervention is of utmost importance to control its spread. Examples of communicable diseases are covid-19, influenza, pertussis, and syphilis.
Program Goals & Objectives
The Communicable Disease Control (CDC) Nurse supports the NITHA partnership through timely reporting of communicable diseases and providing support to frontline health workers.
The CDC Nurse’s roles are to:
- Coordinate and ensure the timely reporting and investigation of communicable diseases (CDs) with NITHA partnerships.
- Follow-up potential exposures to CDs of public health importance.
- Work with clinic/community nurses, Environmental Health Officers, and CD nurses from Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) or other stakeholders.
- Act on CD notification received from physician clinics, hospitals, SHA, provincial lab (RRPL), other jurisdictions, and stakeholders.
- Evaluate/refer CD cases or contacts to partnerships, SHA, or other jurisdictions for further action.
- Inform the Medical Health Officer (MHO) of any noticeable trend in reportable CD necessitating urgent action.
- Refer CD cases to MHO for further action.
- Assist the MHO with NITHA Epidemiologist in the investigation and management of outbreaks.
- Coordinate/collaborate with SHA and other jurisdictions in the investigation/follow-up of CD cases and contacts.
For contact information, please visit our staff page.