The Coastal Health District of Georgia serves the counties of Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long & McIntosh
The Coastal Health District of Georgia serves the counties of Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long & McIntosh
Epidemiology is the central science of public health. As such, epidemiology provides the scientific input that shapes public health policy, program directions, and activities. Coastal Health District (CHD) Epidemiology and Infectious Disease Programs conduct surveillance for the occurrence of diseases and other health conditions that affect CHD residents. By determining the who, what, where, when, how, and why related to these diseases and health conditions, appropriate interventions and control measures can be implemented to lessen their health impact. When an outbreak occurs, immediate action may be needed to prevent or control a situation.
The epidemiology department carries out a number of activities to identify diseases and describe health conditions, assess the health of CHD residents, and develop recommendations to control diseases and improve the overall health status in the district.
These activities include:
All Georgia physicians, laboratories, and other health care providers are required by law (OCGA 31-12-2) to report patients with the conditions listed under Notifiable Disease Reporting Requirements (updated January 2025). Both laboratory confirmed and clinical diagnoses are reportable within the specified time interval.
To report immediately:
To report within 7 days:
HIV/AIDS Case Reporting:
Epidemiology personnel (by disease concentration):
Click here for additional information on disease reporting.
For disease-specific information and fact sheets, click here to visit the GA DPH’s Acute Disease Epidemiology A-Z Site Index.
For more information about the diseases being monitored by epidemiologists, health statistics, or resources for health professionals, visit our Information for Health Professionals page.
A core function of the Coastal Health District’s epidemiology response includes data collection, analysis, and distribution. To access the Community Health Profile of the CHD along with other publications and resources, visit our Health Data Resources page.
It’s important to stay informed about food recalls and outbreaks of foodborne illness, particularly if you’re pregnant or you have a weakened immune system. To view recent food safety recalls, visit the website of the Food and Drug Administration. For a list of foodborne outbreak notices, visit the website of the Centers for Disease Control.
The Georgia Department of Public Health’s Weekly Flu Report tracks flu activity throughout the State of Georgia and reports findings including number of deaths, hospitalizations, & outbreaks; number of positive flu tests (including breakdown by subtype); age distribution of patients; and more.
The Georgia Department of Public Health’s Travel Clinical Assistant is a web tool that provides information to the public on travel-related diseases and outbreaks that have occurred over the past 2 years. All information is confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
