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Infectious Diseases

Officers in the Environmental Health Section investigate cases of communicable disease, including food poisoning. The aims of our investigations are: 

• to try to identify the cause of the infection
• to prevent the further spread of the infection
• to provide information to patients and relatives

We work closely with other local authorities where the infection affects people across bounderies, and with the other major organisations involved in the control of communicable disease. These include the Welsh Assembly Government, the National Public Health Service and NHS Trusts. Groupings of local authorities and these organisations exist to coordinate activity on communicable disease issues. This ensures that when major incidents or outbreaks occur either within, or across local authority boundaries, appropriate and effective measures are taken, sufficient resources are provided and the task is not hindered by legal or other administrative considerations.

We will investigate all cases of communicable disease where there is an environmental aspect, such as food, water, occupation, leisure activities or contact with animals.

Information and advice on the various bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause infection, and on the control of infection is available from the Environmental Health Section.  In particular, we can provide advice on the following organisms:  

• Campylobacter
• Cryptosporidium
• E. coli O157
•  Giardia lamblia
• Hepatitis A virus
• Legionella (Legionnaires' disease)
• Listeria
• Salmonella
• viral gastro-enteritis
• other types of food poisoning

However, should you have a question about an organism or disease that isn't listed above please let us know and we will do our best to help.

Advice leaflets on certain infectious diseases can be found by clicking on the links below.

You can also find out more about various types of communicable disease, including information on infection control, and notification statistics about the number of cases occurring in Blaenau Gwent, Wales and the UK, using the links on this page.