When A Disease Or Outbreak Is Reported
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Our Region 7 disease surveillance and response team, often referred to as our Epi Team, investigates cases of infectious and communicable disease to prevent further spread. The activities of the team are many and varied. They follow up on animal bites for potential exposure to rabies, provide information and training to hospitals and physician offices, investigate possible outbreaks, and work with schools, daycares and nursing homes to help prevent the spread of disease in group settings.
We maintain a reporting system that can take reports of certain communicable or infectious Conditions 24/7. The South Carolina Dept. of Health & Environmental Control requires reporting of over 80 conditions plus any outbreak, unusual disease or cluster of cases. Some of these conditions are immediately reportable by phone, some are urgently reportable by phone within 24 hours, and some are reportable within seven (7) days. See the S.C. List of Reportable Conditions to identify which conditions fall in each category (pdf).
Once we receive a report of a potentially infectious or communicable disease, our Epi Team nurses initiate steps to protect the health of people living in and visiting Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. These steps can be grouped into three (3) categories: Investigation, Infection Control; and Treatment Recommendations.