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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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Disease Investigations and Outbreaks (Epidemiology)

Flu Activity

The 2024-2025 flu season has begun. Flu activity is currently at widespread levels throughout Polk County. To guard against getting the flu, residents are reminded to:

  • Get the flu shot if they haven’t already.
  • Practice frequent handwashing with soap and water.
  • Sneeze or cough into a tissue or elbow.
  • Stay home for at least 24 hours after a fever has subsided, if they have experienced flu-like symptoms.
  • Contact their health care provider if they are persons with a chronic illness or who are pregnant and suspect their illness might be influenza.

For more information on current flu activity throughout Florida: Influenza | Florida Department of Health

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Activity

Polk County follows RSV activity seen in Southwest Florida. Consequently, RSV season in Polk County is considered to begin in September and continue until April of the following year.

For information on current RSV activity: Respiratory Syncytial Virus | Florida Department of Health

What Services Are Available?

The Disease Outbreak Control Program (Epidemiology) monitors and investigates certain diseases that can be passed from one person to another (communicable). Florida law requires all healthcare providers, hospitals, and laboratories to report certain diseases to the health department.

Epidemiology staff members take action to prevent infectious disease outbreaks from occurring in Polk County.

In addition, they also provide the following services to Polk County residents:

  • Monitoring and reporting of communicable diseases and conditions
  • Field investigation of cases and outbreaks
  • Lead poisoning prevention services such as screening, surveillance, and case investigation
  • Doing community outreach and health education activities
  • Engaging in Public Health Preparedness (getting ready for disasters and disease outbreaks or events)

Local businesses, civic organizations, and other agencies may contact the Disease Outbreak Control Program to request information on the following:

  • Bacterial and viral meningitis
  • Childhood lead poisoning
  • Hand washing
  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Respiratory diseases, including flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  • Rabies
  • Foodborne illnesses
  • West Nile Virus (WNV) and other diseases spread by mosquitoes and ticks

Data & Information

For current and historic data on select reportable diseases and conditions in Polk and other Florida counties, please visit Florida CHARTS Reportable Diseases Frequency Report

Reporting Information for Physicians, Laboratories, and Hospitals

Foodborne Illnesses 

Rabies

Mosquito and Tickborne Diseases

Location and Contact Information

Epidemiology Unit

Address:
2090 E. Clower St.
Bartow, FL 33830

Epidemiology Phone: 863-519-8300
Epidemiology Fax: 863-519-8306
After Hours Phone: 863-519-7900

Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday – Friday