Description
A communicable disease is an illness caused by an infectious agent or its toxic products that develops when the agent or its product is transmitted from an infected person, animal or arthropod to a susceptible host. Infectious agents include viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, or aberrant proteins called prions. The infectious agent might spread by one of several mechanisms, including contact with the infected individual or his or her bodily fluids, contact with contaminated items or a vector, or contact with droplets or aerosols. An infection, which is the actual spread of the infectious agent or its toxic product, is not synonymous with disease because an infection may not lead to the development of clinical signs or symptoms.
Location and Extent
The Data Portal of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) provides an interactive map about top communicable disease by Locality.
History
Please visit the VDH Data Portal about historical records of all reported diseases by district and county.
Plan Chapter
CVPDC HMP 2020
