Health Department: 419-352-8402 | Health Center: 419-354-9049
Health Department: 419-352-8402 | Health Center: 419-354-9049
What is an infectious disease?
An infectious or communicable disease is an illness spread by coming in contact with someone or something that is infected. Bacteria, viruses and parasites cause infectious diseases. These illnesses can be passed from person or animal to person through direct contact with body fluids, ingesting contaminated food or water, breathing contaminated air or through the bite of an infected animal.
Disease monitoring and investigation and the prevention of outbreaks are among the highest priorities of Wood County Health Department as an important part of protecting the public’s health. Our goal is to prevent and reduce transmission of infectious diseases through a system of surveillance, control and education.
Healthcare providers (physicians, hospitals, infection control professionals) and laboratories are required by law to report the occurrence of certain communicable diseases to the local health department. In these circumstances, our epidemiologists contact the healthcare provider and patient to determine how the disease was contracted, answer questions and provide guidance to help prevent further spread of the disease.
After-Hours Class A Disease Reporting: Wood County Sheriff Department 419-354-9001 Option 9
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times, can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.
Wood County Health Department monitors influenza cases locally and will report local information during flu season, typically during the fall and winter, ending by April or May each year.
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a bacterial infection treatable with antibiotics. It can cause mild to severe illness, especially in infants under 1 year old, who are at highest risk and may require hospitalization. Vaccination is key in preventing pertussis; children receive the DTaP vaccine, adolescents get a Tdap dose at age 11 or 12, and pregnant women should get the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy to protect newborns. Adults need a Tdap booster every 10 years.
Symptoms start like a cold—sneezing, runny nose, and mild cough—but progress to severe coughing fits with a “whooping” sound. High-risk individuals, including those with asthma or weakened immune systems, should be especially cautious.
Updated COVID-19 Vaccine (Updated October 2, 2025)
The COVID-19 vaccine is approved for use in individuals who are:
Prior to vaccination, an eligible nurse or other health care professionals will speak to you and assess your eligibility based on criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and in accordance with the FDA’s Approved Spikevax Package Insert (dated 8/2025).
The virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, is always changing and protection from COVID-19 vaccines declines over time. Receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine can restore and enhance protection against the virus variants currently responsible for most infections and hospitalizations in the United States.
Vaccine Safety
Vaccines currently authorized for use in the U.S. are safe and effective. These vaccines have undergone and will continue to undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.
Can at-home COVID tests be used past the expiration date?
Generally at-home tests should not be used beyond the expiration date on the box. However, the expiration dates of some at-home COVID tests have been extended.
Check here to see if the expiration date on your test has been extended.
Where can I get a COVID test kit?
Test kits can be purchased at most pharmacies. Wood County Health Department does not currently have COVID test kits available to the public.
There are more than 250 different foodborne and enteric diseases caused by numerous different bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins and chemicals. Each of these diseases can have many different symptoms. However, the most common first symptoms are:
If you think you or someone you know may have a foodborne illness, report it to the Wood County Health Department using the survey below. You may also reach our infectious disease team at 419-354-4306.
