Department of Emergency Management and Security

CONTACT INFORMATION: Open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30p.m., Monday - Friday
4890 Alliance Drive, Suite 2200, Fairfax, VA 22030
Seamus Mooney
Coordinator

Emerging Infectious Diseases

What It Is

Emerging infectious diseases are defined as infectious diseases that are newly recognized in a population or have existed but are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic region.
Factors contributing to emerging infectious disease include population growth, spread in healthcare facilities, aging population, global travel, and changing vector habits related to
climate change. Infectious diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

The amount of a particular disease that is usually present in a community is referred to as the baseline or endemic level of the disease. Endemic refers to the constant presence and/or
usual prevalence of a disease or infectious agent in a population within a geographic area. Sometimes, the amount of disease in a community rises above the expected level. Epidemic refers to an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population in that area. Outbreak carries the same definition of epidemic but is often used for a more limited geographic area. Pandemic refers to an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people. Emerging infectious diseases have pandemic potential and pose significant global risk.

Department Resources

Related Resources

Emerging Infectious Diseases
Emerging Infectious Diseases Hazard Annex

Click on the appropriate link below to download a PDF copy of the Emerging Infectious Disease Hazard Annex page from the Community Emergency Response Guide.

English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF) | Korean (PDF) | Arabic (PDF) | Mandarin (PDF) | Vietnamese (PDF)

Key Terms

  • Epidemic refers to an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population in that area.
  • Pandemic refers to an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people
  • Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) actions, apart from getting vaccinated and taking medicine, which people and communities can take to help slow the spread of disease. Many NPIs are p

What To Do

  • Sign up for Fairfax Alerts and have a battery or crank powered radio available.
  • Get a yearly flu vaccine for everyone six months and older, unless a doctor advises against it.
  • Wash or sanitize your hands often.
  • Take common-sense steps to stop the spread of germs including covering coughs and sneezes and staying away from others as much as possible when you are sick.
  • Wash and sanitize household items often.
  • Practice good health habits, including eating a balanced diet, exercising daily, and getting sufficient rest.
  • Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home.
  • Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
  • Get copies and maintain electronic versions of health records from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other sources and store them, for personal reference

  • Listen to official information.
  • If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
  • Follow public health guidance surrounding use of masks and social distancing practices (regardless of illness status).
  • Consider seeking testing when exhibiting symptoms of illness as well as following public health guidance surrounding other vaccination and treatment options as available.
  • Wash or sanitize hands often.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • If you have a fever, make sure you are fever-free for 24 hours before you return to work and school.

  • Clean surfaces such as counters, doorknobs, fixtures, phones, remotes, and linens.
  • Common household cleaning products can kill the flu virus, including products containing:
    • Chlorine
    • Hydrogen peroxide
    • Detergents (soap)
    • Iodine-based antiseptics
    • Alcohols

A community health resilience approach emphasizes prevention and planning measures that individuals and families can take to secure their physical, emotional, and mental health and wellbeing in times of crises. A critical component in preparing for pandemics and infection disease hazards is immunization.

People of all ages should stay up to date with the recommended vaccines. When people are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk for diseases and can also spread diseases to others in their community.

COVID-19 and flu vaccines are recommended people 6 months and older. To find a vaccine, visit www.vaccines.gov. For more information about immunizations visit Fairfax County Health Department’s page: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ health/immunization or call 703-246-2411 | TTY 711

For adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last updated the recommended immunization schedule in 2022. Follow these three simple steps to immunization:

  1. Consider recommended vaccinations by age.
  2. Discuss with your healthcare provider the vaccinations you may need based on your health history.
  3. Schedule your vaccination appointments as recommended by your healthcare provider.

For children, comply with school immunization requirements, updated by the Virginia Department of Health in 2022. The Code of Virginia requires children entering daycare, public and private schools to give proof of vaccination before enrolling in school. More information about requirements is available on the Health Department website - https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ health/immunization/child.

Recommended vaccines for children include:

  • HepB Hepatitis B vaccine
  • DTaP Diptheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine
  • Hib Haemophilus influenza type b vaccine
  • IPV Poliovirus Vaccine
  • HepA Hepatitis A vaccine
  • MMR Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine
  • VAR Varicella Vaccine
  • PCV Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
  • Tdap Tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis vaccine
  • MenACWY Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (ACYW)
  • HPV Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

The information contained on this webpage was pulled from the Community Emergency Response Guide.  More information about this topic may be found by clicking the link below.

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