The Public Health Nurse coordinates the follow-up of all communicable diseases reported in Crawford County. The goal of Crawford County Home Health, Hospice & Public Health is control and prevention of disease. Once a communicable disease is diagnosed as a confirmed, probable or clinic case; a case investigation is started. Case investigation involves determining possible sources of the person's infection, assessing the likelihood of the individual transmitting the infection to others, and providing education regarding prevention to the ill person and their contacts. Prevention efforts may slow or eliminate the disease. Diseases are reported by physicians, nurses, local health departments, laboratories, and citizens. Not every disease requires a detailed work-up. There are approximately 22 reportable diseases that require follow-up.