Infectious diseases
What is an infectious disease?
An infectious disease is a disease that can be carried by people and passed on. Infectious diseases can be transmitted through the air, through close physical contact and through touch. Infectious diseases are very hard to identify, prevent and cure as they often have several strains (types) and often have early symptoms not dissimilar to much less harmful viruses.
In order to try and control outbreaks of infectious diseases all occurrences of certain diseases should be reported to us, these are known as 'notifiable diseases'. With Greater Manchester Health Protection Agency we are responsible for the control of 'notifiable' diseases such as acute meningitis, legionnaires disease, measles and tuberculosis. A full list is available at the Health Protection Agency.
What you can do
If you are worried about an illness please consult your doctor.
What we can do
Our specialist environmental health officers receive information on suspected outbreaks of notifiable diseases from doctors, laboratories and the public. We investigate the reports and arrange any necessary action to stop the disease from spreading.
Together with the Health Protection Agency we are also responsible for Manchester International Airport for operating the port health units at the airport to help control diseases not endemic in the UK being brought into the country.
Additional information
Legislation
Public Health (Control of Infectious Diseases) Act 1984
