Barren River Community Health Planning Council

Communicable Disease

Disaster Preparedness

Health Education In the Community

Worksite Wellness

Communicable Disease Branch

The Communicable Disease (CD) staff are responsible for investigation, surveillance and follow-up of over 70 diseases that are reportable by law.  The CD staff serves as a resource and in a consultant capacity for health care providers and citizens in the Barren River District service area which includes:  Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Simpson, and Warren Counties.

Other CD staff responsibilities include:

• Communicable Disease Control-the CD staff gathers data, conducts field investigations, provides education and consults with local and state experts/physicians to control outbreak situations and prevent the spread of communicable diseases. 

  • Tuberculosis:
     

  • The CD staff monitors all active Tuberculosis (TB) cases in the Barren River service Area and provide Direct Observe Therapy (DOT) to individuals with active TB disease.
     

  • In conjunction with the Local Health Departments, the CD staff provides preventative treatment for TB and monitoring of clients for complications of treatment.  Monthly clinics are held for the evaluation of individuals for Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LBTI). Evaluations are done by a Pulmonologist who serves as the BRDHD's TB Control Officer.
     

  • The CD staff educates individuals in the community as well as other staff in local health departments, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and correctional facilities regarding the treatment and follow-up of TB.

To report a communicable disease:

• During regular business hours call, call 270-781-8039 ext, 126, 183, 122, or 190.  
   
• On weekends or holidays, call 270-781-8039 ext. 126.  Leave a voice message and the on call CD staff member will return your call, or contact the state health department at 1-888-9-REPORT (1-888-973-7678).
  
  
• Immunizations-The CD staff serves as consultants to local health care providers, child care facilities, parents and individuals in the community on immunization recommendations.
   

• Disaster Response-The CD responds to disasters within our community in collaboration with Emergency Management Services, LifeSkills and the American Red Cross.  Responsibilities include surveillance of shelters for public health issues, which includes the prevention of communicable diseases.
   

• Epi-Rapid Response-CD staff are members of the district-wide multi-disciplinary team specially trained to respond to disease outbreaks.  Surveillance and intervention activities tools are used to investigate, educate, and prevent further spread of an outbreak.