A communicable disease is a sickness that can be spread from one person to another.

There are several important things to know about communicable diseases:

• Many diseases can spread to others before signs of illness appear. This makes it difficult to avoid infecting others because you don't know you are ill yet.
• Children in daycare or schools may get more infections because germs spread more easily in a group setting.
• Most infections are spread by contact with body fluids such as saliva (spit), nasal discharge, stool (feces), and blood.

An infection can be spread by:

• Incomplete handwashing before preparing food or after using the toilet or diapering
• Sharing cups, utensils and toys which have been put in mouths
• Coughing and sneezing
• Touching infected areas and dirty bandages
• Infected blood entering a break in the skin
• Unprotected intercourse

Handwashing, when done correctly, is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

Detailed information about disease-related topics is available through the links below.

Communicable Diseases

• Reportable Diseases List (PDF)
• Communicable Diseases Information
• Guide to Common Infectious Diseases (for schools and child care programs)
• Hepatitis
• Influenza
• Tuberculosis

Preventing Communicable Diseases

• Handwashing
• Immunization
• Travel Health

Mandatory Blood Testing Act

The Mandatory Blood Testing Act allows individuals who have been exposed to the blood or body fluids of another person (under certain conditions) to apply to have the other person's blood tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Where the person refuses the request, an order may be written to make the person submit to the testing and to share the results.

Find out more about Mandatory Blood Testing

SERVICES

WDG Public Health provides a variety of services in the control of communicable diseases.

 Presentations-Public health nurses and inspectors offer presentations and information to individuals, groups and workplaces on various communicable diseases.

 Investigation-WDG Public Health investigates all outbreaks, possible food poisonings, and reportable communicable diseases.

 Vaccination programs & clinics-

•   Grade 7 Hepatitis B Vaccination Program  

Vaccine-preventable disease team - The team provide immunization clinics, school assessments, and cold-chain enforcement.

CONTACT 

Ask to speak to a member of the control of infectious diseases team at your local public health office.