Communicable Disease

Communicable Diseases

A communicable disease is an infectious disease which can be transmitted from person to person, from animal to person, and from animal to animal. To protect public health, certain diseases and conditions are required to be reported in a timely manner by specific health care providers, administrators, and laboratory directors as per NJ Administrative Code Title 8, Chapters 57 and 58. Information and reporting guidelines are available at: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/reporting/

Childhood, Adolescent & Adult Immunizations:

Childhood Immunization Schedule — For infants from birth to children age 6 years in English and Spanish.
Pre-Teen and Adolescent Immunization Schedule — For children age 7 years through adolescents age 18 years in English and Spanish.
Keeping a vaccine record for your child — Keep track of what vaccinations your child has had.
NJ Vaccines for Children Program — Federally funded, state run program to provide uninsured children birth to age 18 with free immunizations.
Somerset Hills Child Health Conference — Free immunizations for local children birth to age 18 without health insurance.
Adult Immunization Schedule — Why do some adults need vaccines? Available from the CDC in English and Spanish.
Keeping a vaccine record for adults — Keep track of the vaccines you have been given.
Immunization Action Council — A non-profit with information on childhood, adolescent and adult immunizations; source for "Vaccine Information Statements" (VIS) for each vaccine used by clinicians.
National Network for Immunization Information (NNii) — Up-to-date information for healthcare professionals and the public about vaccines and immunization; highlights "Community Immunity" or "herd" immunity for prevention of vaccine preventable diseases.
Immunization Action Coalition — Information including photos and videos of vaccine preventable diseases and immunizations.

Foodborne Illness is caused by eating contaminated foods or beverages. This can be caused by different bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It may be caused by improper food handling or storage, poor hygiene by food preparers, contamination in processing, or through recreational or drinking water. Learn more about foodborne illness, recent outbreaks, and prevention at:

Hepatitis is a viral infection causing inflammation of the liver. Most common types in the US are three different types of viruses causing Hepatitis A, B, and C.

Viral Hepatitis — Centers for Disease Control (CDC) information on all types of Hepatitis
Hepatitis A — CDC Questions and Answers about the signs, symptoms and treatment of Hepatitis A; is also known as HAV or HepA, causes acute liver disease; HepA vaccine recommended starting at twelve months; is usually spread through fecal matter. Fact Sheet on Hepatitis A from NJ Department of Health
Hepatitis B — CDC Questions and Answers about the signs, symptoms and treatment of Hepatitis B; also known as HepB or HBV; Immunizations given at birth, and twice in the first 12 months, and again by 18 months; can be transmitted by blood, bodily fluids, as well as tattoos, acupuncture or sharing needles or personal items with an infected person; some infected people's bodies cannot completely get rid of the virus. Fact Sheet on Hepatitis B from NJ Department of Health
Hepatitis C — CDC Questions and Answers about the signs, symptoms and treatment of Hepatitis C; also called Non-A hepatitis; Non-B hepatitis; caused by Hepatitis C virus (HCV); can be transmitted by blood, bodily fluids, as well as tattoos, acupuncture or sharing needles or personal items with an infected person; most infected people develop chronic HepC. Fact Sheet on Hepatitis C from the NJ Department of Health

HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD): Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a viral infection which can damage the body's immune system and can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is transmitted through blood or body fluids through unprotected sex, sharing infected syringes or equipment, or passed from an infected mother to child. Other Sexually Transmitted diseases include Chlamydia, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Syphillis and can have long lasting effects.

Lyme Disease is an illness caused by a bacteria known as Borrelia Burgdorferi which is transmitted to a person when bitten by an infected tick.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal column. It can be caused by either bacteria or a virus. It is important to determine which type it is since the severity of the illness and the treatment is dependent on the source of infection. Viral meningitis is usually less severe than bacterial meningitis.

Tuberculosis, also called TB, is an infectious lung disease caused by a bacteria. It is transmitted from person to person through the air. It becomes more active in those with a weakened immune system such as babies and young children, HIV/AIDS sufferers, and others with chronic disease or in close contact with a person infected with TB.

Travelers' Health: Learn how to stay healthy during travel, vaccinations needed for the destination, and how to prepare for illness or injury when away.

Travelers' Health Topics — The CDC pages listing communicable disease health alerts and information on health and travel.
Travel Vaccinations — Everything you need to know about the timing and requirements for communicable diseases such as for Yellow Fever, Meningitis, etc. before you travel
Find a Travel Health Clinic:
- International Society of Travel Medicine
- Passport Health — Private provider of travel medical and immunization services with locations in NJ
- Atlantic Corporate Health's Travel MD® in Morristown, NJ

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a virus which was in the eastern US in 1999. It is transmitted to people through the bite of a mosquito which has become infectious after feeding on a dead bird infected with WNV.

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