Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Communicable Disease Epidemiology Program

 

Colorado state law requires the Department to monitor, investigate and control the causes of epidemic and communicable diseases affecting the public health in Colorado. The program maintains a state-of-the-art web-based statewide disease reporting system called CEDRS - Colorado Electronic Disease Reporting System. The Communicable Disease Program provides guidance and technical assistance to local health departments.


As part of CDC's Emerging Infections Program (EIP) network, additional activities in the Denver metropolitan area include: 1) determining the population-based incidence and trends of selected invasive bacterial diseases and foodborne/enteric diseases; 2) monitoring influenza-associated hospitalizations; 3) determining risk-factors for selected infections, and 4) evaluating prevention efforts for selected infections

 

Featured Topics

 

down arrowInfluenza Surveillance

Each week CDPHE analyzes information about influenza disease activity in Colorado and publishes findings of key flu indicators.  The links below provide a summary of the most recent key indicators.

 

 

 

 

 

down arrowHealthcare Associated Infections

The HAI Hub is a quarterly newsletter highlighting updates and information on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) including infection prevention, control, and reporting in healthcare facilities. This publication will also present current events and topics about NHSN reporting, HAI prevention and reporting, and links to related articles.

 

 

 

down arrowMethicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Staphylococcus aureus or “Staph” is a common bacterium that can cause skin and invasive infections. Over the past several decades, these bacteria have developed resistance to several important antibiotics, thereby making it more difficult to treat infections due to Staph. Infection with methicillin-resistant (antibiotic-resistant) Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is common among patients exposed to the bacterium while in a health-care facility (e.g., hospitals or nursing homes) and among persons with histories of repeated or long-term antibiotic therapy. However, in the United States and elsewhere, skin and soft tissue infections (boils, abscesses, cellulitis) with MRSA have been reported during recent years in increasing numbers among persons of all ages without these traditional risk factors. These infections are referred to as “community-associated MRSA” (CA-MRSA) and they are often misdiagnosed as spider bites.

 

General Information

 

Information for MRSA in Schools

 

Information for School/Childcare Providers

 

Information for Healthcare Providers

 

Information on MRSA in Animals

 

Other Resources

 

down arrowZoonotic (Animal-Related) Diseases

Zoonoses control staff monitors diseases which are transmitted from animals to humans. The staff conducts statewide surveillance, control and educational programs, investigates cases of these diseases and provides consultation on the treatment of animal bites. In Colorado, these include, but are not limited to: Hantavirus, Plague, Rabies, Tularemia, West Nile virus, and Tick-Borne diseases. 

 

Specific Disease Information

 

37th Annual Zoonoses Conference