Related Links: Reportable Diseases | Caring for your Child who is ill

Infectious Diseases are a group of diseases that are caused by germs (bacteria, viruses or others) that may cause illness in an individual and spread to a community. They are sometimes called communicable diseases.

What is the Health Unit's Role in Infectious Disease?

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is responsible for delivering the infectious disease programs under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.  The major areas of service of the Infectious Disease Program are:

Partnerships with Hospital, Long-term care and other Health Institutions

• Public Health representation on infection control committees
• Outbreak management - see 'breaking news' for information on current outbreaks currently under investigation in the District of Thunder Bay
• Receiving reports of communicable diseases on individuals diagnosed in
• hospital
• Participation in the development and revision of outbreak plans
• Consultation, case management and education to health care workers
• Provide local epidemiological information
• Surveillance
• Collecting data/information on diseases
• Monitoring and analyzing of disease trends in the community

For information on reportable diseases in Canada:

• Click Here  or visit 
• The Public Health Agency of Canada

Community

• Provide a 24 hour on call system
• Receive and investigate communicable disease reports according to the Health Protection and Promotion Act
• Analysis and reporting of data to the Ontario Ministry of Health
• Follow up of reports of Febrile Respiratory Illnesses
• Identification and management of contacts of a communicable disease
• Provide community education, resources and consultation
• Consultation to individuals regarding community needle-stick injuries
• Incidents relating to the Health Protection and Promotion Act: Bill 105
• Pandemic Influenza Planning in conjunction with the province and federal government.

 Public Health Inspections

• Public Health Inspections

 Tuberculosis Control

• Receiving laboratory reports of suspected or confirmed tuberculosis
• Case management and provision of free anti-tuberculosis medication
• Follow-up of family and close contacts

Infectious Disease Program Staff

The program staff includes 4 public health nurses, 2 public health inspectors, 1 health planner and 1 support staff. For information and to speak with someone directly, please call 1-807-625-8318.

History of Infectious Disease

Here are some links to websites about the history of Infectious Disease