Communicable Disease - Horizon Health Network

The goal of the Communicable Disease program is to prevent or reduce the burden of infectious diseases of public health importance through:

public education and awareness about infectious diseases, and ways to prevent the spread of disease, including vaccinations;
collection of information and data to monitor trends to identify and control outbreaks;
follow-up and education of individuals who have infectious diseases to ensure they are treated and to prevent the spread of further disease;
investigation and management of outbreaks of disease in the community in collaboration with other agencies and professionals; and
support to professionals and organizations, such as: daycares, schools, nursing homes, First Nations communities, special care homes and correctional facilities, on diseases and outbreak control.

The New Brunswick Public Health Act and its regulations in from which communicable diseases and events are reportable, who is responsible for reporting as well as when and how to report.

Who is responsible for reporting the diseases and events noted under the New Brunswick Public Health Act?

Physicians
Nurse Practitioners
Nurses
Laboratories
Administrators of health facilities (CEOs or designates)
Principals of schools
Operators of daycares
Persons in-charge of institutions
Veterinarians
Pharmacists
Midwives

Why is reporting these diseases important?

Timely public health action can prevent or reduce the spread of disease to others and potentially avoid a significant outbreak situation.

monitoring disease information is used to plan and evaluate disease prevention and control programs to ensure the right public health measures are in place;
certain diseases are reportable nationally and internationally as part of a global public health monitoring system.

How to report a notifiable disease or event?

For more information:

To prevent infection, practice frequent and proper hand washing:

When you enter and exit a patient’s room;
After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose;
After touching your face;
After handling soiled material or money;
After using the toilet.

When using an alcohol-base hand sanitizer:

Caution! The product is flammable. Do not use near open flames.

Apply the product to the palm of your hand;
Rub all parts of your hands, fingers and nails;
Continue rubbing until your hands are dry;
You can use a hand sanitizer on a regular basis; however, use soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty or after going to the washroom.

When washing hands with water and soap:

Wet hands with warm water;
Apply soap;
Scrub all parts of your hands, fingers and nails for 15 to 20 seconds;
Rinse your hands with running water;
Dry your hands with a disposable towel;
Turn faucets off using the disposable towel;
Discard the towel;
Use a clean disposable towel to open the bathroom door and discard it afterwards.

Do not visit a patient if you:

Are sick;
Have a cough or fever;
Have unexplained skin eruptions (spots, redness);
Have skins lesions that cannot be covered;
Have had diarrhea or vomiting within the past 48 hours.

Visitors must not use patient washrooms.

Resources

Notifiable Communicable Diseases