Public Health – Communicable Diseases

Benton County Public Health provides communicable disease services for everyone who lives, works, plays, and learns in the County.

Communicable Disease (CD) Program

The CD Program works to control the rate of infectious illness by providing investigation, immunizations and education. Public Health Nurses respond to disease reports by investigating possible sources of infection, providing information about confirming diagnosis and treatment, and preventing further spread of disease in the county.

Public Health Nurses investigate reports of infectious diseases occurring in residents of Benton County. If the resident lives in another county, the investigation will be done by that county’s public health department.

Services Provided

By law, health care providers and laboratories must report specific infections to the local health department. Public health nurses (PHN) call the ill person to learn the source of the infection; who else may be exposed to the infection (contacts); offer education about the disease and ways to stop its spreading to others. Depending on the disease, contacts may be informed of signs of the infection, what steps to take should the signs occur, or if treatment is needed. This is done in a confidential manner to prevent the identification of persons involved.

PHNs offer a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic. We screen for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV and syphilis, based on the person’s risk factors for each infection. Contacts to the sex partner with a positive lab report may be screened and treated. For an appointment, call 541-766-6835.