Communicable Diseases

To help promote and protect the health of our community, the City of Rahway Department of Health investigates individual cases and outbreaks of reported communicable diseases. Communicable diseases are those conditions that can be spread to others through:

• Air
• Contact with contaminated body fluids
• Touch

Common Communicable Diseases

Some of the most common communicable diseases include:

• Campylobacter
• Chicken Pox
• Chlamydia
• Giardia
• Hepatitis A, B, and C
• Pertussis
• Salmonella

It's not only important to be treated for infection, but also necessary for the health department to track communicable diseases in order to prevent disease outbreaks.

Investigations

When cases of communicable disease are found, The Rahway Health Department. Communicable Disease staff conducts confidential investigations to determine the source of the infection. Some diseases are spread via talking, coughing, and sneezing, while others are spread through contaminated water, food, blood, and/or sexual contact. All communicable diseases must be investigated thoroughly to prevent the spread of disease.

Reportable Diseases - It's the Law

All New Jersey physicians and other healthcare providers are required to report cases of specific reportable diseases to their local health department (N.J.A.C. 8:57). Reporting makes it possible to:

• Identify outbreaks
• Provide the appropriate public health follow-up for patients