Florida Dept. of Health-Jefferson
Contributor
The Florida Department of Health in Jefferson County (DOH-Jefferson) is dedicated to protecting and improving the health of our community through disease prevention, health education, and outbreak detection and response.
Food and waterborne diseases
Health care providers and laboratories are required to report certain food and waterborne diseases to the health department. These include, but are not limited to, Vibrio, Salmonella, and Legionnaires’ disease. Once a case is reported, an epidemiologist conducts an interview with the patient to identify potential sources of exposure. These findings may lead to follow-up investigations at locations such as restaurants, hotels or healthcare facilities to prevent further spread.
Mosquito-borne diseases
Diseases such as Zika, West Nile virus, and malaria are also reportable to the health department. Epidemiologists interview affected individuals to determine likely exposure locations. Based on the findings and the type of disease, DOH-Jefferson works closely with local mosquito control programs to implement targeted spraying and other mitigation strategies to reduce transmission risk.
Rabies prevention and response
Animal bites or scratches from domestic or wild animals are reported to the health department to assess the risk of rabies exposure. An epidemiologist will interview the individual and coordinate with animal control to locate the animal and verify its vaccination status. In some cases, the animal may be tested for rabies through the state laboratory. If a potential exposure is identified, DOH-Jefferson assists the individual in obtaining appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis.
DOH-Jefferson encourages all residents to stay informed and take an active role in protecting their health and the health of those around them. Whether it’s practicing safe food handling, reducing mosquito exposure, or reporting animal bites promptly, small actions can make a big impact. Together, we can continue building a healthier, safer Jefferson County.