What We Do
Epidemiology is the study of the spreads and cause of disease in a population.
Public health epidemiologists:
- Monitor the health and illness of a population
- Investigate the factors that affect the community's health
- Recommend interventions to reduce the risk of disease
Generally, our team handles the following:
Clinical Epidemiology: Healthcare-associated Infections, Antimicrobial Resistance, Tuberculosis, Newcomer Health
Disease Prevention: HIV/AIDS Programs, STDs, Viral Hepatitis
Immunization: Vaccines for Children, School Requirements, Vaccine Safety, Influenza, Travel.
Informatics and Information Services: Meaningful Use, electronic reporting
Surveillance & Investigation: Influenza Surveillance, Disease Surveillance Data, Zoonotic Disease
Contact Us
Katrina Saphrey, MPH, CIC
Senior District Epidemiologist
Office: 804-609-5775
Eboni Bassett, MPH
Deputy District Epidemiologist
Office: 804-609-5794
Communicable Disease Fax Line
804:862-6294
Online Resources
Office of Epidemiology
Home page for VDH’s Office of Epidemiology. It will connect you with the Divisions of Surveillance and Investigation, Disease Prevention, Environmental Epidemiology, Immunization and Radiological Health.
Disease Regulation Information
Contains the complete regulations for disease reporting and control for Virginia. You will also find the reportable disease list, conditions reportable by laboratories, outbreak reporting requirements and the reporting form (Epi-1).
Disease Fact Sheets
Contains all of VDH's disease fact sheets. From head lice to whooping cough to West Nile Virus, this is the first stop for quick, reliable disease information. Fact sheets are also available here in Spanish.
Communicable Disease Chart for Schools
Direct link to the PDF. Make sure to review the footnotes at the bottom of this document.
Nursing Facility Regulations
Contains a line list of guidelines from VDH’s Office of Licensure and Certification. See Nursing Homes section.
VDSS Assisted Living Facility Regulations
Contains information on regulations, Code of Virginia, application process, guidelines, forms, training and more.
Infection Prevention & Control
This webpage contains infection prevention resources and tools that have been adapted for the assisted living facility (ALF) and nursing home (NH) setting whenever possible. Much of the tools like infection prevention guidance, fact sheets and surveillance logs, however, are generally applicable to other settings.
EPA Registered Disinfectants
Contains listings of EPA registered antimicrobial products that are effective against HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Norovirus, MRSA and more.
FDA Bad Bug Book
Provides basic facts regarding foodborne pathogens and natural toxins
CDC Health Alert Network
Provides recent and archived health alerts, advisories, updates and informational messages regarding vital health information.