Communicable Disease Surveillance—A communicable and/or infectious disease is an illness or infection that can be spread through the environment by people, animals, air, water, food, etc.

Communicable diseases are the leading cause of illness and death worldwide and are the third leading cause of death in the United States.

Staff at Bates County Health Center investigates reportable communicable diseases such as Chickenpox, Hepatitis, Measles, Salmonella, Whooping Cough, Rabies and numerous others to help identify and control the spread of these diseases within the community and to control potential communicable disease outbreaks or public health threats.

Staff also performs outbreak investigations when needed.