On July 1, 2022, communicable disease investigation and follow-up transitioned from the Tri-County Health Department to the Douglas County Health Department.
Communicable disease control involves the investigation and mitigation of infectious diseases within the community. These diseases can be spread in a variety of ways: from person to person, through contact with animals, or through eating contaminated food and water. This includes serious diseases such as E. coli, Salmonella, and rabies. Certain infectious diseases are required by law to be reported to public health within specified time frames. All animal bites that break the skin should be reported to public health. Public health should also be notified if a person has any close contact with a bat.