Communicable Disease Control Program

The Communicable Disease Control Program strives to control communicable diseases which are defined as illnesses due to an infectious agent or its toxic products.

Services include reporting and investigation of communicable diseases with the cooperation of other agencies and the medical community.

Provisions for lab testing to support diagnosis or investigation, enforcement of rules, regulations and laws and public education are available to any county resident or affected person at no charge.
Epi-Log Newsletter


Hepatitis is on the rise….
From January 2017 to July 2018, over 3,700 reports of hepatitis A infections have been reported nationwide, with outbreaks in 11 states including North Carolina.  81% of hepatitis A cases from North Carolina, and more than 50% of cases nationwide have resulted in hospitalization.  Surry County is on high alert due to increasing numbers of hepatitis A cases in NC and outbreaks in nearby cities.

In an effort to remain proactive and protect our community, Surry County Health & Nutrition Center’s response has included increased healthcare awareness efforts, public notification and education, and outreach with vaccination for high-risk populations.  At risk groups include household members, caregivers, or those who have had sexual contact with someone who in infected with hepatitis A and people who have recently traveled from countries where hepatitis A is common.  Others more at risk include men who have sexual encounters with other men, people with chronic liver disease (including chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C), people who use recreational drugs (injected and/or non-injected), and individuals who are currently homeless or are living in transient living (short-term or temporary housing).

For additional information about hepatitis A, as well as up-to-date information on Mecklenburg County’s outbreak, click here.                          

Check with your healthcare provider, or call Surry County Health & Nutrition Center at (336) 401-8400 to find out more about your vaccination status and inquire about vaccination.