Epidemiology

The Epidemiology Program carries out the following activities to improve the health of Pasco County residents and visitors:

• Tracks and investigates reportable diseases (e.g., enteric illnesses, zoonotic diseases, and meningitis, etc.) and participates in implementing interventions to prevent the spread of disease.  Intervention strategies may include education, immunization, quarantine, and preventive treatment. 
• Monitors sentinel and syndromic surveillance systems to aid in early detection of disease clusters or outbreaks.
• Investigates disease outbreaks.  Investigations may include interviewing patients and contacts, obtaining medical records and specimens, reviewing laboratory results, analyzing statistical data and other tasks. 
• Plans for and responds to public health emergencies (e.g. emerging infectious diseases, intentional acts, etc.) in coordination with Public Health Preparedness and Response.
• Produces reports and presentations on diseases and health conditions in Pasco County.
• Conducts studies of local public health importance.