COMMUNICABLE DISEASE 

What is a communicable disease? A communicable disease is one that is spread from one person to another through a variety of ways that include: contact with blood and bodily fluids; breathing in an airborne virus; or by being bitten by an insect.

TO REPORT A COMMUNICABLE DISEASE, PLEASE CALL 231-256-0200 EXT. 4 

The Michigan Public Health Code, Act 368 of 1978, requires health care providers and laboratories to report communicable diseases to the local health department, and requires the local health department to provide appropriate follow-up on reported diseases to control the spread of infections. 

• Michigan Public Health Code
• List of Reportable Diseases

What happens if I have a disease that is reported to the health department: 

Most diseases are reported to the health department as a secured, confidential electronic transfer directly from the laboratory to the Michigan Disease Surveillance System (MDSS). A health department nurse will then contact you and/or your health care provider.  Our goal is to: 

• Ensure you are able to receive the appropriate treatment 
• Provide you with the information you need to protect yourself and others 
• Identify any contacts that may be at risk, and provide them with information, testing, or preventive treatment, as appropriate. 
• Help link you to other resources you may need, such as health insurance 
• Collect data/information that may identify disease outbreaks and/or provide information on symptoms, transmission, and effective treatments that guide recommendations. 
• *We maintain your confidentiality during disease follow-up, as required by law.   

WHERE CAN YOU FIND INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC DISEASES? 

The CDC has helpful information on many diseases at https://www.cdc.gov/health-topics.html