Management of Communicable Disease Plan

An infectious microorganism or pathogen: a virus, bacterium, parasite or other microbe.

Infectious agents that are carried by dust suspended in the air.

Any secretion produced by the body including, but not limited to blood, drainage from eyes, ears, or a wound, nasal secretions, saliva, semen, stool, tears, urine and vomitus.

Microscopic organisms that are present in human blood or body fluids and which can cause disease in humans.

An individual or animal that harbors a specific infectious agent, frequently in the absence of discernible clinical disease, and that is a potential source of infection to others.

An individual with a particular disease. 

United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Application of a chemical agent to an article that renders the object incapable of transmitting the disease to humans.

Two or more cases of disease or illness associated by person, place and time.

An infectious disease that is contagious and can be transmitted either directly or indirectly from one source to another by an infectious agent or its toxins. Also known as infectious disease.

The time disinfectant needs to stay wet on a surface in order to ensure efficacy (also known as wet time).

The length of time during which an ill peson can give the disease to others. 

The presence of, or reasonably anticipated presence of, a potentially infectious agent on any item or surface. 

Physical transfer of microorganisms from an infected or colonized person to a susceptible host. This can occur with activities such as touching, kissing, sexual intercourse, biting or direct projection of a droplet via talking, sneezing, spitting, coughing or singing.

A small drop, such as a particle of moisture, discharged from the mouth or nose during coughing, sneezing or speaking which may transmit infections while airborne to others.

The occurrence of more cases of disease than expected in a given area or among a specific group of people over a particular period of time.

A person who specializes in the incidence, distribution and possible control of diseases and illnesses. 

Contact with an infectious person, environment or contaminated item or surface that may be capable of disease transmission.

State of resistance to a communicable disease by a person due to natural body defenses or acquired by active or passive immunity.

The period of time from exposure to an infectious agent to the appearance of the first symptom. 

Transfer of microorganisms from contaminated objects or materials, e.g. toys, soiled clothing, bedding, cooking or eating utensils, food, water or milk.

An organism that is capable of producing infection or infectious disease in humans. 

Skin, eye, mucous membrane or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee’s duties.

A localized, as opposed to a generalized epidemic. This term may be used synonymously with epidemic and is sometimes the preferred word as it may prevent sensationalism associated with the word epidemic.

An epidemic occurring over a very wide area (several countries or continents) and usually affecting a large proportion of the population.

The period of time during which an individual may transmit a disease either directly or indirectly.

Protective clothing, helmets, goggles, gloves or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer’s body from injury or infection.

Actions taken to prevent or reduce the transmission of disease from one source to another. 

Diseases identified by the Colorado State Department of Public Health and Environment as reportable to the local or state health department.

Guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the risk of transmission of blood-borne and other pathogens. These precautions apply to blood, all body fluids, secretions, excretions (regardless of whether they contain blood), non-intact skin and mucous membranes. The precautions are designed to reduce the transmission of microorganisms from both recognized and unrecognized sources of infection.

Transfer or passage of a specific infectious agent either directly or indirectly from a source person, animal or inanimate object to a susceptible host.

Weld County Department of Public Health Environment