Epidemiology is a discipline based on principles of statistics and research methodologies. Epidemiologists study the distribution of frequencies and patterns of health events or exposures within groups in a population. Epidemiologists also attempt to search for causes or factors that are associated with increased risk or probability of disease. Epidemiology as it is practiced today is applied to the whole spectrum of health-related events, which includes chronic disease, environmental problems, behavioral problems, and injuries in addition to infectious disease.

One of the most important distinguishing characteristics of epidemiologists, that separate them from other medical practitioners is that epidemiologists deals with groups of people rather than with individual patients.

Epidemiological data steers public health decision making and aids in developing and evaluating interventions to control and prevent health problems. This is why Epidemiology is commonly referred to as the basic science of public health.

Public health surveillance is the ongoing, systematic collection of data regarding health-related events. The analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of this information are used to reduce morbidity and mortality and to improve health.

FDA Recalls for the last 60 days (External Link)
USDA Recalls (External Link)

Ohio Medical Reserve Corps (OMRC) (External Link) This Web site is designed to inform interested parties in the Medical Reserve Corp. If you are interested in registering, you can also do that from this site also.

Ohio Pandemic Flu Preparedness Website (External Link) This Web site is designed to help prepare and protect the health of Ohioans in the event of a Flu Pandemic.

Pandemic Flu School Action Kit Template (External Link) The kit is designed to provide schools with practical tools needed to prepare staff, students and parents for a pandemic flu outbreak, which might require schools to have back-up plans for alternative ways of holding class. The tools include preparedness and planning information, fact sheets on avian flu symptoms, prevention and health care tips, guidelines on when schools might need to be closed and other information. Thanks to the Contra Costa Health Services for providing this link.

Seneca County General Health District Communicable Disease Summary: 2004-2005 (PDF)
Public health surveillance is the ongoing, systematic collection of data regarding health-related events. The analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of this information are used to reduce morbidity and mortality and to improve health.

Epi Newsletter (PDF) -- COMING SOON
Produced quarterly, the Epi Newsletter contains articles about current health issues in the Seneca County General Health District, such as recent outbreaks, vaccination programs, cases of unusual infectious diseases, and background articles on new and emerging infectious diseases.

Notifiable Communicable Disease List (PDF)
Please note the time requirements for reporting. If you are a physician and need to report suspected or confirmed infectious diseases please contact the Infectious Disease Control Nurse via phone, fax, or e-mail (provided in the contact information of this page).

If you are reporting Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff) infections, Influenza like Illnesses (ILI) data, or Varicella please contact the Public Health Epidemiologist via phone, fax, or e-mail (provided in the contact information of this page).

Infectious Disease Control Manual (External Link)