Infectious Disease Control

Laboratory and Outreach Efforts

Laboratory reporting and surveillance analysis play a critical role in identifying and monitoring diseases. Additional components include outreach events and notifying at-risk individuals across public health jurisdictions.

• Laboratory Disease List
• Practitioner Disease List
• Practitioner Disease Report Form

Hepatitis

The Florida Department of Health’s Hepatitis Prevention Section encourages adults at increased risk of hepatitis infection or its severe consequences to get vaccinated and tested. Hepatitis A and B vaccines, as well as hepatitis B and C testing, are available to Florida residents aged 18 and older. Eligible residents may receive these services at no cost.

Refugee Health

The Refugee Health Program (RHP) leads the effort in providing culturally sensitive health services to individuals who have fled their home countries due to political, religious, or economic persecution. These services support refugees in achieving better health and self-sufficiency in the U.S.

To protect public health and enhance personal health outcomes, the RHP provides health assessments and vaccinations to eligible refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, Amerasians, those with special immigrant visas, and victims of human trafficking. Refugees with identified health conditions are referred to primary care physicians and specialists for follow-up care.

The program is funded by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement and the Florida Department of Children and Families, Refugee Services.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)

Comprehensive STD services include screening, confidential counseling, treatment, and partner notification for those infected or suspected of being infected. HIV testing is also available.

The integration of prevention and disease control efforts for HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, STDs, and tuberculosis (TB) is essential. Shared risk behaviors and co-infections can exacerbate health inequities, particularly among at-risk populations.

Tuberculosis (TB)

The Florida Department of Health is dedicated to safeguarding communities from tuberculosis. Efforts include providing leadership and policy development to ensure coordinated care for individuals with active TB disease, their close contacts, and those at high risk for latent TB infection (LTBI). The Department also oversees systems to manage complex TB cases effectively.