The Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Branch investigates reports of disease in the community. An outbreak occurs when two or more unrelated individuals present similar symptoms and can be linked through a shared location or time (e.g. ate at the same restaurant within a specified time frame of each other). Following a report, the Epidemiology staff conducts phone or face-to-face interviews of sick individuals to determine how and when they became ill and, to determine if others have been exposed. If the investigation implicates a local facility (restaurant, school, or daycare), an inspection of the establishment is carried out by members of the Disease Surveillance Branch and Environmental Health.

• List of Reportable Diseases
• Disease Reporting Form

The Okaloosa County Health Department actively plans for an efficient response to health emergencies occurring within our community. The Disease Surveillance Branch is part of the emergency responder team along with the Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Health Branches.

The Disease Surveillance staff is trained to respond to man-made emergencies (i.e., bioterrorism) and naturally occurring health threats (i.e. pandemic influenza and hurricanes). They are responsible for evaluating our community’s health needs and for assisting in any mass immunization or prophylaxis (antibiotics and/or immunizations).

Animal bites or injuries require immediate attention and possibly a visit to a doctor or emergency room because domesticated and feral animals can transmit a large number of diseases to humans. Special attention and urgency should be given to injuries involving small children (up to 2 yrs old) or injuries located above the neck and shoulders (i.e. face bites).

Even though only animal injuries requiring rabies treatment are reportable to the Florida Department of Health, all animal bites should be reported to the Okaloosa County Health Department.

If you need to report an animal bite, contact the Okaloosa County Health Department, Environmental Health Branch at (850) 689-7859. If the bite is from a cat, dog, or ferret, Environmental Health staff is responsible for attempting to locate the animal and making sure it is kept in observation at the owners’ home or the local animal control facility for a 10-day quarantine. The bite report is then forwarded to the Disease Surveillance staff for evaluation.

• Rabies Exposure Report

>> Healthcare Providers Webpage
 

• Reportable Disease/Conditions in Florida
   
• Use the Disease Report Form (PDF) to report communicable diseases.  Complete the form and fax or mail it to Disease Surveillance with a copy of the lab report.
       • 24/7 Confidential Fax: (850) 833-7577
       • Mailing Address:  Disease Surveillance
                                      221 Hospital Dr NE
                                      Ft Walton Beach, FL 32548
         
• To report tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV/AIDS, please call: