Calvert County Health Department

Disease Surveillance and Response

The goal of Disease Surveillance and Response is to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by:

• Surveillance and control of disease.
• Education and risk communication to the public, medical practitioners, and community partners.
• Preparation and planning for public health emergencies and responding to public health emergencies.

Services

• For infectious disease cases and outbreaks (multiple cases that are linked to the same source):
  o Reporting
  o Investigation
  o Initiating control measures
  o Assuring appropriate treatment
  
• Community resource for infectious disease information, guidance and consultation.
• Seasonal community influenza immunization clinics.
• Tuberculosis evaluation, testing, and case management.
• Rabies prevention evaluation, treatment, and case management.
• Immunization specialty clinics.

Reporting an Infectious Disease

Health care providers are required to report certain infectious diseases and conditions to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene through local county health departments (click here for a list of reportable diseases and conditions www.edcp.org/html/reprtabl.html ). Health care providers can contact a nurse in Disease Surveillance and Response 24 hours a day to report urgent public health cases or outbreaks by calling the health department.

Reporting a Public Health Emergency

If you suspect a health emergency such as a hazardous waste accident or biological terrorist incident call 911 and report the incident to law enforcement. The health department works in cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies to respond to health emergencies and disasters.

Immunization Services

Adult Immunization Clinic:
Routine immunizations are provided to adult Calvert County residents if they are not available from health care providers in the community. Call for information on the availability of services and vaccine. Routine adult immunizations are provided to employees of governmental agencies, such as law enforcement and first responders, by special arrangement. There is a fee for service and vaccines.

Child Immunization Clinic:
Eligible children who are Calvert County residents can receive childhood immunizations on Tuesday afternoons by appointment. Immunizations are free of charge for eligible children. Call for eligibly guidelines and appointments.

Foreign Travel Immunization Clinic:
Calvert County residents traveling to foreign counties can receive a foreign travel consultation and appropriate vaccinations. A limited number of appointments are available on Wednesday afternoons. Referrals to clinics that specialize in foreign travel immunizations are made if no appointments are available. There is a fee for service and vaccines for adults and children. Call for availability of appointments.

Tuberculosis Prevention Services

• Tuberculin skin testing is available from 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Call for information on fees and return visit requirements. There is a fee for tuberculosis skin testing.
• If you have been told that you may have “latent” or “active” tuberculosis and need help about what to do next, call Disease Surveillance and Response at the health department and we will assist you.
• Health care providers can receive information and guidance on testing, treatment, and management of latent and active Tuberculosis.

Rabies Prevention Services

In coordination with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Department, Division of Animal Control and Calvert Memorial Hospital, bites from domestic and wild animals are investigated and evaluated. If the health department recommends treatment for the prevention of rabies, the person bitten will receive case management to coordinate rabies prevention treatment with their health care provider.

Scheduling and Eligibility
For information about services or to schedule an appointment call
410/535-5400 #6 or 301/855-1353 #6.

Have a question about an infectious disease?
E-mail CommunityHealthCCHD@dhmh.state.md.us -- request that your e-mail be forwarded to a DSR nurse.
Call 410/535-5400 #6 or 301/855-1353 #6 and ask to speak to a DSR nurse