Disease Control & Prevention
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the central science of public health. As such, epidemiology provides the scientific input that shapes public health policy, program directions and activities. The Epidemiologist conducts surveillance for the occurrence of diseases and other health conditions that affect Georgians. By determining the who, what, where, when, how and why related to these diseases and health conditions, appropriate interventions and control measures can be implemented to lessen their health impact. When an outbreak occurs, immediate action may be needed to prevent or control a situation.
For more information about the Georgia Department of Public Health Epidemiology Section, click here.
For more information on local Epidemiology programs contact Kenneth Lowery at (229) 249-2796.
Disease Reporting
All Georgia physicians, laboratories, and other health care providers are required by law to report patients with a condition that is deemed as notifiable. Both lab-confirmed and clinical diagnoses are reportable within a time interval. Reporting enables appropriate public health follow-up for patients, helps identify outbreaks, and provides a better understanding of disease trends in Georgia. For the latest information from the Georgia Department of Public Health, visit their website at www.dph.georgia.gov.
There are numerous ways to report notifiable diseases; however, the preferred method for providers is the State Electronic Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (SendSS) that is found online at https://sendss.state.ga.us. This system allows district and state officials to immediately be notified of existing conditions within the eighteen districts. For more information and for a list of notifiable diseases in the State of Georgia, visit https://dph.georgia.gov/disease-reporting.
Other ways of reporting diseases are: calling your local health department, calling South Health District at 229-333-5290, or faxing the Georgia Notifiable Disease/Condition Report Form to 229-333-7822. You may also mail the report form to South Health District at PO Box 5147, Valdosta, GA 31603 in an envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL, Attn: Epidemiology.
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