The mission of the Notifiable Diseases Epidemiology Section is to improve the health of Georgians by preventing and mitigating infectious diseases using epidemiologic methods.

Responsibilities

·         Conduct surveillance for infectious diseases

§     Conduct passive & active surveillance for notifiable infectious and vectorborne diseases (excluding TB, HIV/AIDS, and STD's)

§     Conduct supplementary surveillance activities (such as syndromic or sentinel surveillance)

§      Strive for continuous improvement

·     Provide support to State and District Public Health, public and private partners, and communities.

§      Identify training and resource needs

§      Provide expertise in and support for:

o        Outbreak investigations

o        Emergency preparedness and response

o        Infectious disease and clinical guidelines development

o        Educational and training materials development and delivery

§       Coordinate across districts and between agencies:

o        Infectious disease surveillance

o        Data collection and dissemination

·      Publish and disseminate public health information of highest scientific   quality including:

§         Statistical reports

§         Outbreak investigation reports

§         Epidemiologic study results

§         Educational materials

·      Conduct enhanced epidemiologic activities under federally funded cooperative agreements

§         Participate in the Emerging Infections Program to

o        Establish priorities

o        Conduct active surveillance

o        Complete population-based studies

§      Develop novel epidemiologic approaches (syndromic surveillance, Public Health Liaison Program, etc.)

·       Identify and respond to emerging infectious disease threats

§         Keep abreast of significant infectious disease trends across the world

§         Identify changes in the natural history of disease and pathways of exposure

§         Build surveillance systems to identify emerging infectious diseases

§         Develop guidance for and provide human resources to partners during emerging infectious disease response activities

·         Maintain flexibility for emergency response

§         Build an adaptive, team-oriented NDES workforce

§         Develop proficiency outside subject matter by providing cross training