Infectious Diseases Surveillance And Follow-Up:
There are some 70 infectious diseases/conditions that are reportable to the Health Department. The role of the Infectious Diseases Program is to protect the health of the public by interrupting the chain of communicable disease transmission through active surveillance and prompt contact follow-up as indicated.
Clinic Services:
Services include adult, childhood and travel vaccinations and antibody screening for many diseases. On average, almost 400 persons are served weekly.
Adult Services: Provides a range of adult immunizations, including influenza and pneumococcal vaccines at the walk-in Clinic in Oakland. On average, more than 700 persons are served weekly.
Childhood Immunizations: Federally funded and administered free of charge to children through 18 years of age. Additionally, Compliance with Allegheny County and Pennsylvania School Immunization Laws is assured through regular audits of school health records.
WIC Certification: Screening for hemoglobin, weight and height are included for certification and re-certification for the Women, Infants and Children Program.
Travel Immunizations: Arranged for persons of all ages, as determined after appropriate travel consultation.
Screening Tests: Blood testing, to determine antibody levels for diseases such as hepatitis B, rubella and measles, is offered. Tuberculosis Mantoux skin testing is also provided.
Public Health Nursing:
Community based nursing visits may be made to investigate significant infectious disease outbreaks and provide preventive medication, assess community health needs, and assist with health care as indicated. Consultations with school nurses and administrators regarding issues affecting school age children are conducted on an outgoing basis. Infectious Diseases public health nurses maintain direct communications with infection control practitioners and physicians at Allegheny County hospitals.
Perinatal Hepatitis B Project:
Pregnant women who test positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are identified during the first trimester of pregnancy. Their infants are followed through the PHB project to insure that they receive hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine at birth, as well as subsequent hepatitis B vaccine at intervals recommended by the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Household members are offered hepatitis B screening and hepatitis B vaccine as indicated.
Public Health Education:
Pamphlets and fact sheets on a variety of infectious disease-related issues are developed, regularly updated, and made available to the public, community organizations, and health care professionals. Speakers are also available to provide informational programs on immunizations and communicable disease prevention.
Zoonoses:
Animal bites/exposures are investigated and recommendations made for follow-up care as appropriate. Information about pre and post exposure rabies protocols and procedures are available for hospital emergency room personnel, physicians and veterinarians. Educational materials about rabies, Lyme disease, toxoplasmosis and other zoonotic illnesses are available to health care professionals and to the general public.
Travel Consultation:
Travel consultations, including immunization requirements and recommendations, specifically tailored to the area(s) being visited, are provided by phone, fax, e-mail, and in person.
Publications
Infectious Disease Reporting Form
Fifth Disease Fact Sheet
Immunization Policy Manual
Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease Surveillance Form
Public Health Referral - TB Program
Referral to ACHD TB Clinic
Rheumatic Fever Medication Program
Rheumatic Fever Registry, Case Notification
School Tuberculin Testing Forms - Order Form
TB: What You Should Know
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