The Public Health Unit Infectious Diseases team carries out a wide range of activities related to the surveillance, investigation and control of infectious diseases. They monitor the incidence of diseases which are notifiable under the NSW Public Health Act 2010, and follow up cases and suspected outbreaks. Notifications are received from doctors, laboratories, hospitals, schools and childcare centres.
These reports allow staff to work with health care providers to ensure appropriate public health measures are taken to prevent further spread of disease and to identify a disease source. Public Health nurses also provide information to doctors, childcare centres, schools and members of the community on public health aspects of infectious diseases, childhood and adult immunisation, guidelines for exclusion from childcare, school or work and prophylactic measures when necessary.
