Infectious and Communicable Diseases

Campylobacter
Campylobacter is a bacteria which gets into the digestive system.
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C. difficile
Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a type of bacteria that can be found in feces. Illness from C. diff often occurs during or after the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics can kill your good bowel bacteria, allowing the C. diff bacteria to multiply. The main symptoms of C. diff are watery diarrhea, fever, pain or tenderness.
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Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium is a parasite. When this parasite is accidentally swallowed it can cause a diarrheal illness commonly referred to as Cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium germs can be found on hands, in food, water, soil, or surfaces that have been contaminated with the stool of an infected person or animal.
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Eastern Equine Encephalitis
EEE is a rare disease that is caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes. EEE virus (EEEV) is one of a group of mosquito-transmitted viruses that can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). In the United States, approximately 5-10 EEE cases are reported annually. 
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Fifth Disease
Fifth disease is an infection of the respiratory system. It is caused by a virus called parvovirus B19. The illness is often very mild. Sometimes, the child may not even feel sick. Adults usually get a more severe case, with fever and painful joints. At least 50 percent of adults have had fifth disease in childhood and will not get it again if exposed to a child with the infection. Outbreaks of fifth disease can occur in school-age children.
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Giardiasis
Giardia is a diarrheal illness that is caused by a protozoan infection caused by Giardia Lambia (G. intestinalis, G. duodunalis) (American Public Health Association, 2000)
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Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections (iGAS)
Group A Streptococci are bacteria. You can have this bacteria, or germ, in your throat or on your skin and be healthy. This germ can cause infections such as strep throat, wound infections and scarlet fever. Sometimes this germ can cause serious illness such as necrotizing fasciitis (flesh eating disease) and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.
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Legionellosis
Legionellosis is a respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. This bacterium is responsible for two distinct illnesses: Legionellosis (a more severe illness) and Pontiac fever (a milder
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Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium. This bacterium is found naturally in the environment – in soil, groundwater, plants, and also in animals and people. Eating food contaminated with Listeria may result in a human illness commonly referred to as Listeriosis.
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Lyme
Lyme disease is an infection caused by the corkscrew-shaped bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. In Ontario, these bacteria are spread by the bite of blacklegged ticks (formerly called deer ticks). The blacklegged tick is found sporadically throughout the province. 
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Measles, Mumps and Rubella
Measles is an acute, highly contagious viral disease capable of producing epidemics. Measles is more common in winter and spring.
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Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Many different bacteria and viruses can cause infection.
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Norwalk-like Virus Infection
Norwalk virus is a common cause of viral gastroenteritis. An increase of this illness has been recognized during the winter months and has often been referred to as ‘stomach flu’ or ‘Winter Vomiting Disease’.
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Rotavirus
Rotavirus is a viral infection that causes gastroenteritis. It is common in children, although adults can also become infected. The virus can cause illness in day care environments, in the elderly living in long-term care homes and in community residences for older adults.
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Streptococcal Pneumonia
Streptococcal Pneumonia also referred to as “strep pneumo” is a contagious disease caused by the streptococcal pneumonia bacteria. People can carry these bacteria in their nose and throat and be healthy.
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Strep Throat / Scarlet Fever
Strep throat is an infection caused by the Streptococcus pyogenes (strep) Group A bacteria. The infection is more common in children than in adults.
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VTEC
Verotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) is a group of bacteria that cause illness in humans. The most commonly found VTEC in North America is E. coli O157:H7 which may be found naturally in some animals such as cattle, farmed deer, sheep, horses, goats, dogs, geese, pigs, wild birds, and poultry.
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West Nile Virus
West Nile virus can be spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Although infections from the virus are uncommon and those affected usually experience only mild symptoms such as fever and headaches, the illness can be serious and inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) may occur in a small number of cases. The health unit's surveillance program is a way to track the virus in the county. Just as important, you need to take precautions to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes by reducing breeding grounds and by using protection against mosquito bites.