Preventing and controlling infectious diseases is one of the oldest and most important public health duties. In Minnesota, state law gives the Minnesota Department of Health and local community health boards the authority to carry out this work.  

Carver County Public Health monitors diseases that can spread from person-to-person, from animals, or through contaminated food and water. When certain diseases are reported, staff work to find out where the illness came from, how the person got sick, and who else might have been exposed. The goal is to stop the disease from spreading further. Public Health also works to prevent disease in Carver County by providing immunizations and education to residents. 

Disease Reporting

By law, certain diseases that can affect the public's health must be reported by healthcare providers and laboratories to public health agencies. This reporting helps prevent the disease from spreading.

• Infectious Disease Reporting
• Persons Required to Report Disease
• Methods of Reporting Disease

Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools

The Infectious Diseases in Childcare Settings and Schools manual helps administrators, childcare providers, caregivers, parents, guardians, and school health staff understand common infectious disease issues they may face in childcare settings or schools. The manual provides clear guidelines for preventing and controlling diseases. These guidelines follow national standards from the American Public Health Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

This sixth edition of the manual includes:

• 47 fact sheets for parents and guardians of childcare and school-aged children. These are labeled "Parent fact sheet."
• 54 facts sheets for providers about specific infectious diseases. These are labeled "Provider fact sheet."

Some provider fact sheets explain when immediate action is needed. Fact sheets labeled "Reportable" mean the provider must contact the local or state health department. 

Disease Information

• Influenza 
• Measles
• Mosquitoborne Diseases
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
• Tuberculosis
• Tickborne Diseases
  • Get Ticks Off! handout
  • How to Apply DEET and Permethrin Products
  • How to Remove a Tick
  • Tickborne Disease Prevention Video

For more information about infectious disease concerns, contact us by email or call (952) 361-1329. You can also visit the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) website or call MDH at (651) 201-5414.