Communicable diseases are illnesses that can spread from person to person, from animals to people, or through the environment, such as food, water or insects.
They are an important part of health protection and can impact individuals, families and communities across NSW.
AH&MRC’s role
AH&MRC supports Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and reduce the impact of serious illness in communities.
This work is led through the Public Health team at AH&MRC, working alongside member services and public health partners to support community-led, culturally safe approaches to health protection.
Preventing serious illness
Many communicable diseases can be prevented or their impacts reduced through practical, everyday actions, including:
- Immunisation to protect against serious illness from diseases such as influenza, measles and hepatitis
- Infection prevention and control to reduce the spread of germs in clinics and community settings
- Testing, early treatment and follow-up
- Health promotion and education that supports informed choices and reduces stigma
Priority communicable disease areas
AH&MRC works across key communicable disease priorities, including:
- Respiratory infections – e.g. influenza ‘flu’, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Pneumococcal disease
- Sexual health and Blood Borne Viruses
- Mosquito borne diseases e.g. Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV)
- Skin and bacterial infections e.g. scabies, impetigo
- Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), preventable conditions which can develop after untreated throat or skin infections.
- Vaccine preventable diseases -where immunisation plays a key role in preventing serious illness.
Explore related topics
