Disease Control

Animal Bite Surveillance and Rabies Control is responsible for managing the animal bite investigation and quarantine program for Mobile County. All animal bites involving physician care or law enforcement investigation are reported and investigated by the Mobile County Health Department. Victims or offending animal owners may also report animal bites and scratches for investigation (Animal Bite Report Printed Form). (Animal Bite Report Digital Form).

Title 3, Chapter 7A requires a yearly vaccination for dogs, cats, and ferrets by a licensed veterinarian. Regardless of vaccination status, any dog or cat that bites a human must be quarantined for a 10-day observation period. This ensures that the animal has not contracted the virus and exposed the human.

If a human is exposed to a wild or exotic animal bite, the quarantine process may not be sufficient to determine the exposure to rabies. In these situations, the animal may be resistant to the rabies virus or harbor the virus longer than the designated quarantine time. Generally, these animals must be sacrificed for laboratory testing as the virus can only be detected within the brain stem. If the animal is not sacrificed, MCHD recommends clients consult their physician regarding post-bite rabies treatment. MCHD only provides treatment for Family Health patients.

Please follow MCHD’s news releases to see when we host low-cost rabies vaccination clinics throughout Mobile County. For more information about potential exposures, call 251-690-8956 or 251-690-8970. Additional information can also be found at the CDC or the Alabama Department of Public Health. 

Stray Animals Complaints

The City and County Animal Control Office is responsible for stray animal complaints. 

City Animal Control: 251-208-2800

County Animal Control: 251-574-3230

Comprised of epidemiologists, data analysts, and geographical information system analysts, the Data Science team collects and assimilates data types and information to produce visualizations and reports. These documents provide insights on public health activities and additional community needs. Reports are developed and distributed with the assistance of partner organizations.  

If you have other questions pertaining to notifiable (reportable) disease data and reporting, please call Disease Surveillance and Control at 251-690-8868. Additional information can also be found on the CDC or Alabama Department of Public Health.

Select Disease Reports and Dashboards

• MCHD Provisional Disease Report
• ADPH Mpox Data Tracker
• CDC Mpox Data Tracker

Following definitions and guidance put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), the IDO program conducts surveillance for enteric diseases, vector-borne infectious diseases, emerging diseases or novel pathogens, agents of bioterrorism, and potential rabies exposures. Under state law, diseases and events of public health importance are reported to ADPH and investigated by IDO. This includes outbreaks of illness or injuries, natural or man-made. During investigations, IDO conducts patient interviews, identifies common exposures and risk factors, collects specimens for state testing, and provides education, guidance, and training to minimize the spread of disease.  

DETECT, TEST, REPORT

IDO works to increase awareness of health care providers’ responsibility to detect, test, and report notifiable diseases and events to public health authorities. Reporting allows for data collection, which helps us identify disease trends to control future outbreaks. All healthcare professionals, lab directors, school principals and daycare directors are responsible for reporting specific diseases and conditions in Alabama.

• Alabama Notifiable Disease Rules, Chapter 420-4-1 specifies the diseases and conditions which require notification, the time frame, and methods for notification.
• The Alabama Department of Public Health and MCHD are authorized to collect or receive protected health information for the purpose of surveillance, investigations, and interventions of notifiable diseases, without authorization of the patient [HIPAA, 45 CFR §164.501]. 

Emerging Diseases and Outbreaks

MPOX

Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection with the mpox virus. In the current outbreak, mpox has been transmitted primarily through sexual contact. However, it can also spread through respiratory secretions with close, face-to-face contact and through contaminated surfaces and fabrics. Transmission is possible from the time symptoms start until the rash has completely healed. Symptoms usually start within three weeks of exposure to the virus. Symptoms include a rash located on or near the genitals or anus and other areas (ex: hands, feet, chest, or face). The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy. Individuals may also develop flu-like symptoms. If an infected person has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later. 

Individuals can sign up for a vaccine using our Vaccine Sign-Up Sheet. Appointments are determined by availability and eligibility. Other prevention measures include using condoms and other safe sex practices, minimizing skin-to-skin contact at social gatherings, not sharing fabrics, and social distancing.

More information about mpox can be found at the CDC or the Alabama Department of Public Health. Additional data is also available through the CDC MPOX Data Tracker and the ADPH MPOX Data Tracker.

If you believe you have been exposed or have an active mpox infection, please contact your primary healthcare provider to inquire about testing. Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who has been in close, personal contact with an infected individual is at risk.   

Healthcare providers seeking information on evaluating, testing, and treating patients with mpox can call 251-690-8868 or visit https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/mpox/healthcare.html

COVID-19

COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and can range from mild to severe. Possible symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell. Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do NOT have symptoms. Transmission can be limited by washing your hands, staying up to date on vaccines, following isolation recommendations, increasing ventilation, and wearing a high-quality mask.

Additional information on COVID-19 is available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. COVID-19 maps, charts, and data are available at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker.

MCHD’s walk-in, COVID-19 testing and vaccination center located at the Festival Centre is closed as of Sept 29, 2023. For individuals seeking COVID-19 testing or vaccination services, please use the following resources:

• COVID-19 vaccine provider: www.vaccines.gov
• COVID-19 test location: www.testinglocator.cdc.gov
• COVID-19 at-home test kits: www.covid.gov/tests

MORE INFORMATION

If you have questions pertaining to infectious diseases or reportable diseases, please call Infectious Disease and Outbreaks at 251-690-8175 or 251-690-8868. Additions information can also be found at the CDC or the Alabama Department of Public Health.

STD Program

The Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) program is dedicated to promoting, improving, and protecting the wellness of residents in Mobile County. Team members work to identify, locate, and notify STD patients and partners of their need for testing or treatment to reduce the spread of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV in our community.

If you have questions pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases, please call the MCHD Sexually Transmitted Diseases program at 251-690-8831 or 251-690-8868. Additional information can also be found at the CDC websites below or at the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Information on Common STDs/STIs:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis
• Syphilis
• Bacterial Vaginosis
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• HIV/AIDS
• Trichomoniasis

STD Testing and Treatment

Take charge of your sexual health by getting regular STD tests, building positive relationships, and practicing safer sex. Full health screening and STD testing, evaluation, and treatment is available by appointments at Family Health, MCHD clinical services division, by calling 251-690-8889.

Southwest Public Health Center currently does not test for hepatitis, herpes, and human papilloma virus.  Family Health does provide these services. 

No appointments are needed for walk in STD testing and treatment at our Southwest Public Health Center (SPHC).  See below for more information.

Southwest Public Health Center

5580 Inn Rd., Mobile, AL 36619

Entrance in the back of the building

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Phone Number: 251-410-4393

Services: Free testing and treatment for persons testing positive and showing symptoms of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. $5 registration fee. Wait times are sometimes lengthy since this is a walk-in clinic. Individuals can sign up for a mpox vaccine using our Vaccine Sign-Up Sheet. Mpox appointments are determined by availability and eligibility.

Provider: Ashlee Fountain-Jones, CRNP, MSN, NP-C

Location: Southwest Public Health Center

Professional Summary: Ashlee Fountain-Jones is a Clinical Nurse Practitioner. Prior to joining MCHD, she worked as a Medical-Surgical nurse for 12 years in Mobile. She directed and managed the Mobile Infirmary COVID-19 Infusion Clinic; precepted new nursing employees; and she was an educator for patient care technicians and nursing students.

Education: Post-master’s degree in Family Nurse Practitioner and a master’s degree in Nursing Administration/Education, University of Mobile.

Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Language Spoken: English

 

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that usually affects the lungs. A TB infection means that someone has been infected, but the bacteria are dormant and not causing illness. TB disease means the bacteria are active and causing illness. TB is spread from person to person through the air (i.e., coughing, laughing, sneezing, singing, or talking). TB spreads more easily in closed spaces over a long period of time, such as in shared spaces with family members, close friends, and coworkers. Symptoms of TB disease usually include cough, weight loss, night sweats, and fever.

Our TB staff provide consultation, directly observed therapy (DOT), case management and clinical services for patients with a TB infection or disease. Staff also educate healthcare providers, patients, and their families on the importance of isolation, wearing a mask, reducing respiratory droplets, and the need to test close contacts as soon as possible.

TB skin tests are performed through the Family Health Clinic and not the TB Clinic. For a TB skin test appointment, call 251-690-8889.

If you have questions pertaining to TB disease or infection, please call 251-690-8914, 251-544-2107 or 251-690-8910. Additional information can also be found at the CDC and the Alabama Department of Public Health.