🔬 Disease Investigation & Surveillance
Tracking and controlling reportable diseases across Cedar, Dixon, Thurston, and Wayne counties.
Public health’s “disease detectives” — the NNPHD Disease Investigation and Surveillance (DIS) team investigates reportable diseases and conditions across Cedar, Dixon, Thurston, and Wayne counties.
What is Disease Surveillance?
The CDC defines epidemiology as “the study of distribution and determinants of health-related states among specified populations, and the application of that study to the control of health problems.”
In plain language: we track disease in our communities, figure out why it’s happening, and take action to stop it from spreading.
The NNPHD DIS Team
Our Disease Investigation and Surveillance team are Northeast Nebraska’s disease detectives. The DIS team investigates all diseases and conditions that are reportable in the State of Nebraska. Our investigation tools come from our State Division of Public Health and from decades of established public health practice.
What We Investigate
Communicable Diseases
Influenza, measles, whooping cough, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases reported in our region.
Foodborne Illness
Outbreaks of salmonella, E. coli, norovirus, and other foodborne illnesses.
Vector-Borne Diseases
West Nile virus, Lyme disease, and other illnesses spread by mosquitoes and ticks.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Investigation of cases to ensure contacts are protected and outbreaks are contained.
Zoonotic Diseases
Animal-borne diseases like rabies, salmonellosis from reptiles, and more.
Outbreaks
Any unusual cluster of illness in schools, long-term care facilities, workplaces, or communities.
What We Do During an Investigation
- Receive the report — Healthcare providers and labs are legally required to report certain diseases to public health.
- Interview the patient — We contact the patient (or their family) to gather information while protecting their privacy.
- Identify contacts — We work with the patient to identify others who may have been exposed.
- Notify and protect contacts — We reach out confidentially to exposed individuals with guidance, testing, or treatment.
- Control the spread — We implement control measures — exclusion from work/school, environmental cleaning, vaccination, etc.
- Monitor and report — We track cases over time and report to state and federal public health agencies.
Reporting a Disease
Nebraska law requires healthcare providers, laboratories, and others to report certain diseases. If you are a healthcare provider, use the Nebraska DHHS electronic reporting system or contact NNPHD directly.
Members of the public: If you believe you have been diagnosed with a reportable disease, your healthcare provider should automatically report it. If you have questions or concerns about disease exposure, call NNPHD at (402) 375-2200.
Your Privacy
All disease investigation activities are strictly confidential. Patient information is protected by state and federal law, and we never disclose personal information without consent — except when required to protect the health of others (for example, notifying a contact that they may have been exposed).
📋 All Programs
💉 Vaccines & Immunizations ›
🧩 Behavioral Health ›
🤝 Community Response ›
🌱 Diabetes Prevention ›
🔬 Disease Surveillance ›
🚑 Emergency Preparedness ›
🌿 Environmental Health ›
🏥 Health Resource Vending ›
🧠 Mental Health ›
🦷 Oral Health ›
🏠 Radon Kits ›
♻️ Recycling Centers ›
🎗️ Ryan White HIV/AIDS ›
🕐 Office Hours
Monday 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM – 5:30PM
Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:30PM
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed