Epidemiology

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants 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, and recommend interventions to reduce the risk of disease. Epidemiology is practiced in health departments daily and involves principles of surveillance, investigation, laboratory testing, data management, and communication.

Epidemiological surveillance is the collection, analysis, and dissemination of health data for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health programs. The Epidemiology Department at Richmond City Health District collects information in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Surveillance and Investigation (DSI) in order to determine disease impact, assess trends in disease occurrence, characterize affected populations, prioritize control efforts, and evaluates prevention strategies in Richmond City.

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. Last revised November 2011. More information can be found in the VDOE School Health Guidelines (located at the bottom of the page).

Nursing Facility Regulations from VDH ’s Office of Licensure and Certification
Read The Rules and Regulations for the Licensure of Nursing Facilities in Virginia.

VDSS Assisted Living Facility Regulations
Contains information on regulations, Code of Virginia, application process, guidelines, forms, training, and more.

Successful Strategies for Infection Prevention & Control Toolkit
This toolkit contains infection prevention presentations, 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.

Epidemiology

Epidemiology

Online Resources

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