To the Editor: Public health units routinely carry out investigations into cases of notifiable diseases, specified by state and territory Public Health Acts, because of the potential impact on the health of the public. Investigations involve contacting individuals and their contacts, and providing advice for follow up and treatment. This may include seeing a general practitioner for further testing, treatment, or prophylaxis of contacts.1 To assess the extent of input from GPs in managing notifiable diseases we documented GP encounters related to public health unit communicable disease control activity in inner-western and south-western Sydney.
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- 1. Heymann DL. Control of communicable diseases manual. 19th ed. Washington DC: American Public Health Association, 2008: A11-A15.
- 2. Sayers G, Igoe D, Carr M, et al. High morbidity and mortality associated with an outbreak of influenza A (H3N2) in a psycho-geriatric facility. Epidemiol Infect 2013 Feb: 357-365.
- 3. Buchanan R, Bonthius DJ. Measles virus and associated central nervous system sequelae. Semin Pediatr Neurol [Internet] 2012; 19: 107-114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.spen.2012.02.003 (accessed May 2015).
We thank communicable disease nurses Leng Boonwaat, Beth Cullen, Essi Huhtinen, Andrew Ingleton, and Claire Pearson for their assistance in data collection.
No relevant disclosures.