Communicable Diseases

Communicable diseases are illnesses caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa and worms. They can be transmitted through direct routes such as direct contact with blood or bodily fluids or indirect routes such as the ingestion of contaminated food or water.

Some specific examples include:

• Foodborne illnesses (e.g. Norovirus, salmonellosis, listeriosis, etc.)
• Blood-borne pathogens (e.g. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis B, etc.) and
• Vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g. measles, chickenpox, mumps, etc.).

_{Please note that this video is not owned by York University. All the information in this video is from South Africa’s The National Institute for Communicable Diseases. More information may be found here: https://www.nicd.ac.za/}

York follows a Communicable Disease Protocol when notified of a communicable disease exposure to prevent further spread of disease on campus. 

The University has a duty to report certain communicable disease to applicable public health authorities. For a comprehensive list of communicable diseases, visit the Toronto Public Health List of Reportable Diseases page.

As new research develops and procedures change, York will continue to adhere to public health guidance, when appropriate for our community. 

As a community we solve problems together.  We need to take individual responsibility and a community of care approach to keep everyone safe and well. This approach begins with each of us protecting and maintaining our own health as well as that of others. 

Please refer to York’s Infection Prevention and Control Measures Awareness Program and optional module under the Health and Safety Orientation for routine practices and measures regarding infectious diseases.

To learn more about how you can protect yourself and the community against communicable diseases click the icons and resources below.

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