A professional who investigates reported cases of communicable diseases and advises exposed persons to obtain medical treatment and to prevent further spread of disease. Responsibilities include:

• Locates and interviews exposed person, using information obtained from records of state or local public health departments and from individual already under treatment for communicable disease.
• Advises person to obtain treatment from private physician or public health clinic.
• May take blood sample to assist in identifying presence of disease in suspected victim.
• Questions exposed person to obtain information concerning other persons who may have received exposure.
• Conducts follow-up interviews with patients and suspected carriers.
• Writes report of activities and findings.
• Visits physicians, laboratories, and community health facilities to stimulate reporting of cases and to provide information about government-sponsored health programs concerning immunization efforts, vd control, mosquito abatement, and rodent control.