COMMUNICABLE DISEASE AND EPIDEMIOLOGY
Madeline Cook, BS, Communicable Disease Specialist
Madeline.cook@fairfieldcountyohio.gov
Office: 740.652.2832
Mackenzie Kaminski, BS, Epidemiologist
Mackenzie.kaminski@fairfieldcountyohio.gov
Office: 740-652-2846
740-653-6626
Fairfield County Health Department (FCHD) works to keep our community healthy by tracking certain communicable diseases, watching for outbreaks, and helping prevent illness from spreading.
What we do
- • Review disease reports from healthcare providers and laboratories
- • Follow up on certain illnesses to identify possible sources
- • Monitor trends and look for outbreaks
- • Work with schools, childcare programs, healthcare facilities, and other partners
- • Share guidance to help prevent the spread of disease
Why we do it
- • To help stop the spread of infectious diseases and protect our community’s health
- • To catch illnesses early and prevent them from becoming outbreaks
- • To support safe practices in schools, childcare centers, and healthcare settings
- • To provide timely, accurate information so people can take steps to stay healthy
- • To meet state and federal requirements for tracking and reporting diseases
DISEASE
AND REPORTS
GUIDANCE
(TB) CONTROL
Concerned about an illness or outbreak?
Anyone can report a suspected illness or outbreak.
- • Suspected illness: Please call 740-652-2832
- • Suspected outbreak or multiple people ill: Please call 740-652-2846
For suspected food related illness please submit our online foodborne illness report form.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When a doctor diagnoses certain illnesses or when a lab test is positive, the doctor or laboratory is required by law to report those illnesses to the local health department. Reports may be sent by phone, fax, or through the Ohio disease reporting system.
Some illnesses can spread easily to others or may be linked to food, water, animals, or close contact.
Reporting helps public health staff:
- • Protect others from getting sick
- • Identify outbreaks early
- • Monitor illnesses that may be resistant to treatment
- • Provide guidance to reduce spread
Some diseases spread through food, water, or close contact. Your answers help us understand how an illness may have started and whether others could be at risk.
Yes. Health information is kept private and protected by law per the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). We only share information when it’s legally required or necessary to protect public health.
If you have questions about communicable diseases or reporting, call 740-652-2800 and ask to speak with a staff member with our communicable disease team.
