Public Health Outreach for Communicable Diseases

North Carolina takes the health of people who live, work and travel in the state seriously. An important part of protecting people in our state is through public health outreach for serious infectious diseases. 

What is an Infectious Disease?

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by an organism, such as a bacteria or virus. These diseases can spread to others and are also known as contagious or communicable diseases. People can catch an infectious disease in many ways:

  • Bites from animals, including insects 
  • Eating contaminated foods 
  • Touching contaminated environmental surfaces 
  • Contact with the infectious bodily fluids (e.g., blood, saliva, semen) of another person or animal.
  • Some infections can also be spread through the air. This occurs when a sick person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can also happen because of an environmental disturbance from a severe weather event.

Reportable Diseases 

Some infections can cause serious illness or spread to many people within a community. For these reasons, these serious diseases must be reported by law to NCDHHS Division of Public Health (DPH) so that a timely public health response can take place. DPH works with local health departments to respond when these diseases are reported. Outreach programs are a major part of this response.

Learn more about which diseases are reportable in the state of North Carolina

What is Public Health Outreach?

DPH and local health departments work together to respond to serious infectious diseases. Public health outreach is an important part of this response. Outreach can include case investigation and contact tracing. Outreach, while not performed for every disease, is used when it is the most effective way to control disease. 

Case investigation: a public health official gathers information from a person who has an infectious disease. Information collected can include the type of symptoms a person has and when symptoms started and ended. It also involves information used for contact tracing.

Contact tracing: a person who has an infectious disease is asked about who they spent time with recently and any places they have been where other people may have been exposed to their infection. This information is used to alert people about an exposure to an infectious disease. Alerting others allows people who were exposed to seek out testing and/or treatment to protect their health and, when needed, to take steps to avoid passing on the illness to more people.

Infographic: How Outreach Works – English (PDF)
Infographic: How Outreach Works – Spanish (PDF)

What does North Carolina Public Health Outreach for Communicable Diseases Look Like?

Outreach for a reportable disease is done in many ways:

  • Texts
  • Emails
  • Phone calls  
  • In person visits

People who recently spent time with someone who tests positive for a reportable disease may also be contacted in one of these ways.  

You may receive a text, email and/or phone call if:  

  • You were exposed to someone who tested positive for a reportable disease, and you are identified as a contact, or  
  • You test positive for a reportable disease for which outreach is being done in North Carolina

There may be a link in the text or email with important information on next steps and resources. Next steps may include case investigation and contact tracing.

Contacts will be alerted of the potential exposure and may get regular check-in calls to see if they develop symptoms. Both patients and contacts will also be given information on how to keep themselves and others healthy. Resources for treatment and other needs may also be shared.

All public health outreach for infectious diseases is confidential. This means that your information will be kept private and will not be shared with contacts during contact tracing. Information you provide will be kept private in accordance with NC law.

While you may be asked about your travel to understand recent exposures, you will never be asked about your immigration status.

Taking part in the process not only helps slow the spread of disease, but it protects your loved ones and the loved ones of others. Public cooperation can also help to keep infants and small children, older adults and those with health issues safe. You are doing a public service to your community when you take part in the public health outreach process.

Who will Reach Out about Infectious Diseases and How?

Local health departments are responsible for public health outreach for most diseases. DPH staff, including members of the state-sponsored Public Health Outreach Team, may also help. 

You may be contacted by a(n): 

  • Phone call or text from your local health department or the NCDHHS Division of Public Health 
  • Phone call from an NC Public Health Outreach Team member. The caller ID might read DPH Epidemiology or NCDHHS or it may not. 
  • Text sent by an NC Public Health Outreach Team member 
  • Email from an address with "dhhs.nc.gov" after the "@" symbol 
  • In person visit from a local or state public health advisor

If you are unsure that a call or text is genuine: 

Please answer if you receive a call or text from one of the above. Your help is critical to keeping your community safe. 

Infographic: How Outreach Works – English (PDF)
Infographic: How Outreach Works – Spanish (PDF)

Is public health outreach for communicable disease a new program?

No. Public health outreach has been used routinely to stop the spread of infectious diseases. It gives individuals a chance to speak with people familiar with the disease. Most importantly, it allows people to learn about resources available to them and their families. These resources may include access to free or low-cost testing, treatment, and other ways to stay safe and healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Case investigation and contact tracing have been used for nearly a century in the United States. These tools help to slow the spread of certain contagious diseases by notifying people of exposures to these illnesses. People can then take necessary actions to protect both themselves and their community. Participation also helps to keep vulnerable groups like infants, older adults, and those with health issues safe.

Case investigation and contact tracing are also ways to connect exposed people with tools and support. This includes: 

  • Resources to isolate or quarantine (if applicable) 
  • Information on tracking symptoms 
  • Where and how to get tested 
  • Vaccination options (if applicable)

Double check that the text, email or phone call is coming from one of the numbers or addresses above. If you are in doubt, please call your local health department to confirm.

A person making public health outreach for communicable diseases will: 

  • Start by introducing themselves 
  • State that they are calling about a public health matter 
  • Ask for some information to verify that they are speaking with the correct person

But they will never: 

  • Name the disease that they are calling about until after verifying identity 
  • Ask for your Social Security number, bank or credit card numbers, or any other financial information. If you are asked for this information, please hang up and call your local health department to report the incident.

Contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division online or at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM if you believe that you have been the victim of a scam.

State and local public health officials determine which contagious diseases need to be monitored. This is based on several factors, such as how quickly the disease spreads, how much is already known about the disease, and how severe the disease is. A list of North Carolina’s reportable contagious diseases can be found online. High priority disease responses will be on the front page of the Communicable Disease Branch website, but not all responses are listed on the front page.

State and local public health departments store and track information collected during case investigation and contact tracing process in secure databases. These tools are secure public health platforms and keep personal information confidential in accordance with NC law.

You may be asked: 

  • Basic information, such as your first and last name, date of birth, or address 
  • Information about your recent travel 
  • Who you have been in contact with 
  • Your symptoms 
  • Medical history (including vaccination status) 
  • Resources you may need to stay safe 

You will only receive a phone call from your local health department or the DPH if: 

  • Your positive test result is reported to the state and local health department 
  • Outreach is being performed for that disease, and 
  • You are a priority case patient or contact 

Otherwise, you may only receive a text or email, or you may not receive any outreach. 

If you take a test at home without input from a testing provider, the state and local health departments will not know of your result or attempt to contact you. However, if you take a test at home that is then sent to a lab and the disease is actively being monitored in your area, you may be contacted. If you need further support, please call your local health department.

If a public health outreach call is made but doesn’t reach you, a voicemail may be left. You may also receive a text or email. If you require further support, please call your local health department.

The DPH or your local health department will try to reach you another way if you cannot be reached by email, text or phone. This may be through a certified letter by mail or an in-person visit. 

Public health outreach works best if everyone responds; that allows information about disease spread to be brought together so control efforts can be informed and efficient. Multiple attempts may be made to reach you. The best way to protect your loved ones and community is by responding to calls, emails and texts, and providing the information requested.

Yes, you should still respond to outreach. A public health professional may inform you of an exposure or ask you questions about your vaccination status. Depending on your vaccination status and any symptoms, they can then give appropriate guidance or end outreach to you if it is not needed. 

Please call your local health department if you have received communication about NC communicable diseases in error.

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