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NC Department of Health and Human Services
NC Division of Public Health
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Programs & Services

Field Services for Local Health Departments

In North Carolina, HIV and syphilis are primary diseases for hands-on intervention. The North Carolina Administrative Code — 10A NCAC 41 .0202 (13) and .0204 (c) (3) — requires the Division of Public Health to conduct partner notification programs for both HIV and syphilis. To support local health departments in this effort, specially trained staff from the Communicable Disease Field Services Unit work with local health departments to perform HIV and syphilis notification, intervention and counseling services. Regional offices serve health departments across the state. See map of Field Services regions and corresponding offices (PDF, 166KB).

Once notified of a laboratory-confirmed case of HIV or syphilis, a Field Services disease intervention specialist (DIS) teams with the county health department and, under the authority of the local health director, performs STD intervention activities which include locating infected patients and exposed partners and providing assurance that patients are referred to proper treatment and examination.

The Communicable Disease Field Services Unit will:

  • Interview, notify and counsel patients diagnosed with syphilis/HIV as mandated by North Carolina Public Health Law;
  • Ensure treatment to patients diagnosed with syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases;
  • Provide consultation to local health care providers about sexually transmitted disease control measures;
  • Maintain effective disease intervention-based collaborations with community partners; and
  • Assist newly diagnosed HIV clients into care and refer those who have fallen out of care back into care services.

Data used in lawful disease investigation and notification executed in DPH duties is confidential and protected.

For a more detailed description of how Disease Intervention Specialists can assist you, see the below infographics:

  • DIS Intervention Specialist: Protecting Our Communities (English) (Spanish)

 

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