Infectious Disease Surveillance and Response Program (IDSR)
Our mission:
- We INFORM and EDUCATE our community about infectious diseases.
- We TRACK infectious diseases in Howard County, and MONITOR how they impact our population.
- We PREVENT and CONTROL infectious diseases, responding to reported rates of infection.
Infectious diseases are any diseases that can spread from person to person.
What We Do:
The IDSR Program:
We keep track of possible and known infectious diseases in Howard County, then use that helpful information to prevent and control the spread of those diseases.
IDSR Team Members:
- We FIND diseases, LEAD investigations, and WORK with our team and our partners to control the spread of disease. This is called “Outbreak Management.”
- We GUIDE our partners, including healthcare professionals, healthcare facilities, and other public and private agencies and organizations on how to prevent, control, and test for infectious diseases.
- We MANAGE rabies investigations, helping to determine exposure risks and recommending and coordinating post-exposure prophylaxis for those who need it.
- We INVESTIGATE illnesses reported from food establishments, determining the possible cause and protecting others from getting sick.
How We Do It:
Rabies:
- Our team partners with the Health Department’s Environmental Health bureau when there is a suspected human exposure to rabies.
- Our nurses evaluate each situation and offer guidance on how to manage post-exposure prophylaxis, if necessary, to protect those exposed to rabies.
- We offer rabies titer testing for at-risk groups.
If you have concerns about a potentially infected animal, please contact our Environmental Health bureau first. You can reach them online at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/health/rabies-prevention or https://www.howardcountymd.gov/health/report-animal-bite. You can also call our Environmental Health bureau at 410-313-2640.
Long term care facilities:
- Our team visits assisted living and skilled nursing facilities to share infectious disease education and guidance and offer helpful information on reporting requirements. We are a resource for administrators, preventing and managing illness in these establishments.
- We created a short video to demonstrate the how and when's to proper handwashing in a healthcare setting.
- This video also shows how to use GloGerm lotion to illustrate if your handwashing technique was successful in removing the "germs".
Laboratories:
- Our team uses lab surveillance systems to gather data on infectious diseases in our community. We keep track of disease trends and take action to prevent or manage outbreaks and protect the health of our community.
- When we receive a lab report, we follow up for exposures or infections. Follow-up may include learning more about symptoms, a variety of treatment options, or more information about the specific cause of infection.
Foodborne illness:
- Our team partners with our Environmental Health bureau to manage food-borne illness complaints. We interview those who may have been exposed to food-borne illnesses and offer resources as needed.
- If you have concerns about a food service establishment, please contact our Environmental Health bureau first. You can reach them online at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/health/food-protection-program. You can also call our Environmental Health bureau at 410-313-2640.
Community outbreaks:
- Our team provides disease-specific guidance and resources for treatment and follow-up care when a group or facility in our region experiences an outbreak of an infectious disease. We also lead outbreak investigations when we find an increase in disease trends and cases. We work to prevent disease transmission and to answer questions and concerns about the health and safety of our Howard County residents.
What To Expect:
Follow up:
- If you report an infectious disease, our team may contact you to help us investigate the cause and prevent others from getting sick. We follow HIPAA privacy regulations, and your sensitive health data is kept strictly confidential. Any information that we gather is used only for healthcare purposes, and will only be shared within healthcare agencies as necessary to prevent further spread of disease in our community.
- We guarantee your confidentiality, and that promise is the foundation of trust between you, the IDSR team, and the entire Howard County Health Department.
Our IDSR team focuses on how to prevent and protect the public from contagious diseases that are common but sometimes overlooked. On this page we’ll take a look at what you can do to help prevent the spread of these illnesses and what the Health Department does to help protect the community.
Understanding Campylobacter
Campylobacter is a type of bacteria that can lead to gastrointestinal illness, primarily characterized by diarrhea. It is responsible for the most bacterial diarrheal illnesses in the United States, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating that approximately 1.5 million people become ill from it each year.
These bacteria are commonly found in the organs of animals, particularly poultry, without making the animals themselves sick. Campylobacter can be transmitted to humans through contaminated food, water, and contact with infected animals.
Infection with Campylobacter often occurs when individuals consume raw or undercooked poultry or other foods, including seafood, meat, and even produce. It can also happen when preparing raw or lightly cooked foods, such as salads and fruits, with knives or cutting boards that have been used for raw poultry or meat. Additionally, touching animals or their food, water, waste, or habitats can increase the risk of infection. Drinking untreated water is another potential source of Campylobacter.
The risk of Campylobacter illness tends to rise during the spring and summer months. Warmer temperatures can promote the growth of these bacteria, leading to faster spoilage of food. With more outdoor events like barbecues and picnics during this time, there is an increased chance of consuming undercooked or improperly handled foods.
To protect yourself and others from Campylobacter, it’s essential to maintain good hygiene and food safety practices. Always wash your hands with soap and water before, during, and after food preparation, before eating, after using the restroom or changing a diaper, and after handling pets or their food. Keep raw meat away from other foods by using separate cutting boards and ensuring they are properly cleaned. Make sure to cook food to the appropriate temperature, with special attention to poultry, which is a common source of Campylobacter. Additionally, always choose pasteurized milk and drink safe, treated water. By following these guidelines, you can help reduce the risk of Campylobacter infection.
Diseases of Interest
Reportable Illnesses
Laboratories and Healthcare Providers are required by law to report certain diseases to the local health department. Some diseases are recorded to become a part of the Local, State and National statistics. Other diseases require public health measures, or interventions. These diseases include, but are not limited to:
- Foodborne illnesses
- Hepatitis
- Tuberculosis
- Lyme disease
- Meningitis
- Polio
- Outbreaks
The Howard County Health Department may contact you for information that will assist in the investigation, and help to prevent others from getting sick.
See Maryland's Infectious Disease Bureau or CDC.gov for specific disease information.
Information for Healthcare Providers
Howard County Healthcare Providers who need to submit a reportable illness case to the Health Department should call 410-313-1412. Providers may also email infectiousdisease@howardcountymd.gov for assistance.
Foodborne Illness
The most common symptoms of food poisoning are diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever. If you have diarrhea or vomiting, be sure to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (not having enough water in your body).
If you are pregnant and experience any food poisoning symptoms, have a fever, and other flu-like symptoms, please see your doctor. Some mild infections can cause problems with pregnancy.
The five signs of severe food poisoning are*:
- bloody diarrhea
- diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days
- high fever (temperature over 102°F)
- frequent vomiting (unable to keep any liquids down)
- signs of dehydration, which include not urinating (peeing) much, a dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up.
*Contact a medical provider if you have any of these symptoms.
Additional resources for common Foodborne illnesses:
Food Safety: Bacteria & Viruses
Preventing Foodborne Illness
USDA Safe Food Handling and Preparation
Foodsafety.gov 4 Steps to Food Safety
If you believe you have gotten sick as a result of food eaten at a food service facility in Howard County, please contact our Food Protection Program and let us know.
Measles
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable viral infection. Measles starts with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat. It’s followed by a rash that spreads over the body. Measles is highly contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing.
People are generally considered immune to measles if they have had two measles vaccine shots, previously had measles or laboratory evidence of immunity or infection, or were born in the United States before 1957. Those who are most at risk of complications from measles infection are pregnant women, infants less than one year old, and those who are immune compromised. People in these at risk groups who may have potentially been exposed to measles and are not immune should contact their health care provider or call Howard County Health Department’s Infectious Disease Surveillance and Response Program at 410-313-6284 for additional guidance.
If you think you or your family member have symptoms of measles, call your doctor before going to the office so staff can take measures to prevent possible spread to other patients. Do not go to child care, school, work, or out in public if you have symptoms of measles. If you think you or a family member might have been exposed to measles, or if you have questions about vaccinations, contact your healthcare provider.
Speak with your healthcare providers to make sure you and your child are protected with measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and any other recommended vaccinations. If you need help getting a MMR vaccine, the Health Department offers immunizations for children and adults.
Resources:
Mosquito-borne Diseases
Everyone—in the United States and around the world—is vulnerable to diseases spread by infected mosquitoes.
RSV
Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory illness that can affect anyone. RSV typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can cause serious illness in infants and older adults. RSV typically occurs during the fall and winter months and is the most common cause of inflammation or infection of the lungs in children younger than one year of age.
People at highest risk for severe disease include
- Premature infants
- Young children with congenital (from birth) heart or chronic lung disease
- Young children with compromised (weakened) immune systems due to a medical condition or medical treatment
- Children with neuromuscular disorders
- Adults with compromised immune systems
- Older adults, especially those with underlying heart or lung disease
Lyme
Lyme Disease is a bacteria transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected Blacklegged tick (or deer tick). Symptoms may include headache, fever, and the characteristic "bulls-eye" skin rash (erythema migrans). If not treated, the infection can spread to joints, heart and nervous system. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (like the rash) and the possibility of exposure to ticks.
Seasonal Flu
The Health Department encourages people of all ages to get a seasonal flu shot from a healthcare provider, local pharmacy, retailer or big box store. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school (even virtual school) due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.
Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is caused by one of several types of viruses, commonly caused by coxsackievirus A16. It is common in children under 5 years old, but anyone can get it. This mostly occurs in summer and fall.
HFMD is contagious. Someone is most contagious during the first week when they are sick and the virus is found is their nose and throat secretions, fluid from blisters and feces.
People can get HFMD when they come into contact with droplets that contain the virus, touching an infected person, touching an infected person’s poop (such as changing diapers) then touching your eyes, nose or mouth and touching objects and surfaces that have the virus on them.
Symptoms of HFMD are fever and flu-like symptoms, mouth sores and skin rash on palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
You can help to prevent and control the spread of HFMD by:
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Washing hands, especially after going to the bathroom, changing diapers and/or handling diapers or other stool‑soiled material.
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Covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
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Washing toys and other surfaces that may have saliva on them.
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Keeping your child home from childcare or school settings if the child has a fever, uncontrollable “hand to mouth” behavior, not able to contain secretions, or child has draining sores that cannot be covered.
For more information: