National DIS Recognition Day is observed annually on the first Friday in October. This is the 14th year it has been celebrated! We honor the dedicated Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) as a vital part of the public health workforce. From locating people in need of treatment and testing, contact tracing to outbreak response, their work is critical.

Who are DIS?

DIS are trained public health professionals with varied backgrounds and skill sets. They’re a group of public health specialists who identify, locate, and prevent the transmission of infections. They often have experience in community health, social work, health education, outreach, public health, and lived experiences.

DIS provide critical services in our communities that improve sexual health, increase knowledge and education, and improve health outcomes. This can include new and reemerging infections, as well. Here are some ways that DIS work hard every day to help improve sexual health:

• • Provide non-judgmental answers to difficult questions and easy to understand sexual health education
  • Swiftly connect individuals to sexual health screening and treatment services
  • Confidentially support partner notification (also called partner services) of individuals potentially exposed to STDs
  • Make referrals to wrap-around services including housing, substance use, mental health, harm reduction services and more
  • Lead frontline tracing efforts for emerging and remerging infections including tuberculosis, COVID-19, mpox, and others whenever needed
  • Locate and share available resources based on the needs of their local communities

The DIS job is not easy. It requires compassion, persistence, and a unique ability to build trust with people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

DIS in Virginia

In Virginia, our DIS are truly vital to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. Here are some examples of the work that they’ve done recently to make our communities healthier and safer:

• • From January 2024 to date, DIS outreach prevented 148 congenital syphilis cases by reaching out to pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis and ensuring they received appropriate treatment.
  • From January 2024 to date, DIS interviewed 5,934 people and elicited 4,578 partners, associates at risk, and social contacts at risk.
  • These efforts interrupt disease transmission in our communities and improve the health of Virginians daily.

How can you help celebrate DIS Recognition Day?

Visit our Facebook and share the post about DIS. Thank them for their hard work!

Remember, if you or someone you know are ever contacted by a DIS, they are working hard to protect your health and work as a public servant. You can always call your local health department with questions if you are contacted by a VDH staff member. Cooperating with DIS efforts will benefit your health and others.

Thank you to all Virginia DIS for their tireless efforts in improving the health of Virginia communities!