Communicable Disease Response

Communicable diseases are contagious illnesses that can be spread from person-to-person, through contact with animals or insects, or through contaminated food or water. The Communicable Disease staff work to detect, investigate, manage and prevent communicable diseases and disease outbreaks. Staff collects, analyzes and reports disease data, and provides public health consultation and education for health care providers and the public.

Certain diseases and outbreaks in Colorado are required to be reported to public health. The Communicable Disease staff may contact persons who have been ill to determine where they may have gotten sick and try to prevent further spread of illness. Staff investigate disease outbreaks in long-term care facilities, child care facilities, schools, restaurants and other group settings. We attempt to identify the cause of the outbreak and immediately put control measures into place.

Historical Data on Reportable Diseases in Colorado