Communicable Disease Reporting & Investigation

The Public Health Nurse (PHN) is responsible for promptly reporting and investigating communicable diseases for Hunterdon County residents. Positive lab results are available directly through a communicable disease surveillance reporting system. Telephone reporting and faxes from physician offices are other means to report new cases that will need investigation. The PHN also:

• Collaborates with physicians and office personnel, hospital Infection Prevention Department, county health officer, and regional epidemiologist at the New Jersey Department of health.
• Assists school nurses and administrators during school outbreaks by assisting with guidelines, reviewing line lists for absent students and staff, provides control measures and exclusion criteria recommendations. See Prevention and Control Measures for Outbreaks in School Settings (PDF) for more information.
• Reports all outbreaks immediately to NJDOH via telephone and written report.
• Audits assess and evaluate schools and preschools for immunization requirement compliance.
• Provides Tuberculosis (TB) case management, contact follow-up, and provision of medication.

To prevent Norovirus infection and promote good hygiene, Pubic Health Nurse Kathleen Jaeger played an interactive game on hand-washing to a group of Kindergarteners,

Foodborne Safety

Foodborne illness is a common, yet preventable public health problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 6 Americans get sick from contaminated foods or beverages each year and that 3,000 die.

Prevention is the key.

Follow these 4 simple steps to keep food safe:

• Clean: Wash hands and food contact surfaces and utensils often
• Separate: Do not cross-contaminate
• Cook: To the right temperature
• Chill: Refrigerate promptly