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The mission of the Epidemiology Division is to protect the residents of Alabama through constant monitoring of the incidence and prevalence of communicable, zoonotic, and environmentally-related human diseases.
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Epidemiology News
News and Events Archive
Epidemiology Partners
The Epidemiology Division's partners include ADPH’s Bureau of Clinical Laboratories (BCL) and Bureau of Information Technology (BIT), and together strive to:
- Provide a statewide network of disease surveillance for early detection and timely response to disease threats
- Conduct investigations of communicable disease outbreaks
- Implement plans to reduce the occurrence of communicable diseases
- Provide technical expertise, consultation and assistance to healthcare professionals, institutions, and communities throughout the state
- Protect citizens from diseases caused by environmental contaminants through education
Five Epidemiology Division Branches
The Surveillance Branch provides support, education and direction to the area surveillance field staff, the health care sector, and the general public regarding communicable diseases and other areas of public health importance. The Surveillance Branch conducts surveillance for all notifiable diseases and health conditions designated as potential threats to the health and welfare of its citizens by the State Board of Health, including cases related to nuclear, biological, or chemical terroristic activity.
The Toxicology Branch primary task is to conduct and coordinate activities in and around hazardous waste sites. Its main objectives are to identify pathways of exposure to hazardous substances and potentially hazardous industrial releases, and coordinate public health interventions to reduce exposures to those hazardous substances.
The Infection Prevention mission is to provide infection control, infectious disease training and consultation, and to develop infection control related policies and procedures. These services are structured to the needs of the Alabama Department of Public Health, the medical community, and the general public. Educational training programs are provided remotely (via satellite teleconferences) and on-site to individuals such as health care workers from the health department, hospitals, other state agencies, and extended care facilities.
The Zoonoses Branch is charged with monitoring, controlling, and preventing diseases transmitted from animals to humans such as Rabies, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and West Nile. This involves many activities related to providing training and consultation to professionals (such as veterinarians) and the general public, and monitoring of data on diseases in animals that might affect humans (such as rabies in pets and wild animals).
The Analysis and Reporting Branch identifies disease occurrences, clusters of diseases, and potential foodborne and waterborne outbreaks. Staff analyze disease data reported from across the state, report diseases to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and monitor disease trends. Influenza surveillance is a significant function and involves facilitating viral identification of specimens provided by sentinel providers, monitoring provider reported influenza like illnesses, reviewing school absenteeism data, and responds to data requests. |
