Community Health

• Children with Special Needs
• Immunizations
  • Health Care Provider Info
  • Flu Vaccine
• Communicable Disease
  • Influenza (flu)
  • Measles
  • Tuberculosis
  • SARS

The Whatcom County Health Department relies on healthcare providers, laboratories and hospitals to report certain diseases to us.  While clinician reporting is our best source of information, it has been estimated that as few as 10% of the currently reportable infectious diseases are actually reported.  Only by prompt reporting of confirmed and suspect conditions can we protect public health in our community.

A list of reportable conditions can be found at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/notify/other/providerposter.pdf

Communicable disease nurses are available at (360) 676-6724 to consult with healthcare professionals regarding testing and prevention of infectious diseases.  If you wish to report a notifiable condition, please call our 24-hour report line at (360) 738-2503.

Click below for more information on the following:

• MRSA Infection Control
• Norovirus Infection Control for Nursing Facilities
• STD Treatment Guidelines
• CDC Flu Home Page

Forms:

STD Report Form

For specific disease information click on the following:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention A to Z disease list

The Washington State Department of Health A to Z disease list

Communicable Disease (CD) Program

• Contact Information
• About the Communicable Disease Program
• Frequently Asked Questions about Diseases

Contact Information

Disease Response & Control
1500 North State Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Telephone: (360) 676-6724
E-mail:  health@co.whatcom.wa.us

About the Communicable Disease Program

Health care providers are required by Washington law to report certain medical conditions that have a public health impact.  The Communicable Disease Program focuses on preventing or limiting the spread of certain communicable diseases.  This is achieved through surveillance, case investigations, contact follow-up, and consultation with local health care providers.  The data gathered from this reporting is also used to plan health services in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions about Diseases

Many people want more information about specific diseases, such as hepatitis C, measles, and whooping cough (pertussis).  Questions include:

• What is it? 
• How is it spread? 
• What should I do if I've been exposed? 
• What can I do to prevent getting sick with the disease? 
• Is there a vaccine to prevent it? 
• Where can I get tested?

Information about most communicable diseases is available at:

• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) web site: http://www.cdc.gov/az/a.html
• The Washington Department of Health web site: http://www.doh.wa.gov/Topics/topics.htm#Disease
• Your physician or medical care provider