Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, October 11, 2016
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) are the foot soldiers of HIV and STD prevention, working tirelessly to protect the health of Hoosiers.
These specialists are being recognized today as part of the fifth annual National Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) Recognition Day, which was created to recognize those whose work often goes unnoticed.
"Today, we take a minute to say thank you for all of the work that our DIS team does," said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. "The job of a DIS is not an easy task, but their hard work day in and day out makes a tremendous difference in the health of Hoosiers."
At the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), DIS work under the authority of the Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention Program and serve as the backbone of not only the state STD Prevention Program, but also local STD/HIV programs. They serve an important role in reporting and controlling the spread of STDs and HIV, working with those affected in a manner that is respectful and compassionate.
More than 20 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-trained DIS are at work each day in Indiana.
DIS cover many miles and several counties in Indiana to ensure that all patients who are infected, or have been exposed to an infection, are notified and properly treated. DIS have also been recruited to help in other investigations, such as hepatitis and emergency situations. Their critical investigation skills have proven essential to improving public health and reducing the impact of these infections statewide.
Indiana and CDC-appointed DIS were instrumental in identifying and investigating cases in the HIV outbreak that Scott County experienced in 2015. DIS also work with Indiana healthcare providers to ensure that they understand and are meeting the reporting laws for communicable diseases.
For more information, visit www.StateHealth.in.gov. Follow the Indiana State Department of Health on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/isdh1.
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