The Communicable Disease Unit offers services to prevent the spread of disease. There are specific programs dealing with AIDS/HIV, Tuberculosis Control, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Rabies Control, and Reportable Diseases. Call (856) 374-6370 or 856) 374-6356 for more information.
AIDS/HIV Program
Provides free anonymous/confidential HIV counseling and testing. Provides risk assessment and education to “at-risk” individuals. HIV positive individuals are referred to Early Intervention Programs for standard blood profiles (Viral Load and CD4) and partner notification. The HIV Program is the entry point for HIV positive individuals to appropriate medical, dental, housing and social services. Educational programs are available upon request. Walk-ins are accepted. For information, please call (856) 374-6370.
Tuberculosis Control Program
Provides testing, treatment, and medical supervision of suspected or diagnosed cases of tuberculosis, educational presentations.
Phone: (856) 756-2264 and (856) 756-2265
Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic
Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinics Provides free and confidential screening for detection and treatment of all sexually transmitted diseases and educational presentations. HIV testing services are also available at all STD Clinics. Walk-ins are accepted. All services are on a first come, first-serve basis. Please be advised that space is limited, clients often line up prior to start time. Hepatitis immunizations are also offered to clients who attend the STD Clinics.
Clinic will close as space fills. Phone: (856) 756-2266
Hours and Locations
| STD/STI WALK-IN CLINIC | HealthFirst Care & Wellness Center 35 East Browning Rd. Bellmawr, NJ 08031 856-931-2700 |
Mondays
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| CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION CLINIC (by Appointment Only) *2 months – 18 y/o |
HealthFirst Care & Wellness Center 35 East Browning Rd. Bellmawr, NJ 08031 856-931-2700 |
1st & 3rd Friday
|
| TUBERCULOSIS CLINIC (by Appointment Only) |
HealthFirst Care & Wellness Center 35 East Browning Rd. Bellmawr, NJ 08031 856-931-2700 |
Wednesday
|
| STD/STI WALK-IN CLINIC | CAMDEN COUNTY CLINICAL SVC. 1700 South 9th St. Camden, NJ 08104 856-756-2266 |
Tuesday
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| LEAD PROGRAM | CAMDEN COUNTY HEALTH DEPT. 512 Lakeland Rd Blackwood, NJ 08012 856-374-6245 |
Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm |
Rabies Control
We conduct investigations into both domestic and wild animal bites, offering technical guidance to veterinarians, physicians, and municipal officials on rabies-related matters. Our responsibilities include quarantining animals, transporting specimens, supplying rabies vaccines to municipalities for clinics, and delivering educational presentations. For additional details, please contact us at (856) 374-6044.
State law mandates the reporting of all animal bites from species capable of transmitting rabies to humans to the local health department. Upon receiving an animal bite report, our Health Department issues a written confinement notice to the owner of the involved dog, cat, or other domestic animal susceptible to contracting and transmitting rabies. The animal can be confined either at its usual residence or at an animal boarding establishment for the duration of the confinement.
Following the confinement period, the animal’s condition is assessed for any signs of rabies. Upon confirmation of the animal’s well-being, it is released from confinement. At the conclusion of the confinement period, the victim is informed of the animal’s condition.
In the event that the animal displaying symptoms of rabies, euthanasia is recommended, followed by testing for rabies. Similarly, if a wild animal is part of the exposure and is available for testing, euthanasia and rabies testing are advised. The collected specimen is securely transported via courier to the New Jersey Public Health Environmental Laboratory (NJPHEL) for rabies analysis.
Click here to view the Rabies GIS map
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is confinement?
Confinement is an observation period in which the animals are being monitored for signs and symptoms of rabies in a single location. Animals that are involved in bite incidents or other potential rabies exposure incidents are required to be confirmed pursuant to New Jersey Statute 26:4-82, 26:4-83 and 26:4-85.
Why do I need to confine my animal?
The New Jersey Statute 26:4-82, 26:4-83 and 26:4-85 requires that any animal involved in a bite must be confined for a minimum of 10 days. Animals are confined in order to ensure that they are kept away from other animals and people until it can be determined that they are not infected with the rabies virus.
Why is the confinement period typically 10 days?
The confinement period is 10 days because animals that are rabid usually die within 1 to 7 days of when they start showing symptoms.
What am I not allowed to do during the confinement period?
During the confinement period the animal can’t be given away, the animal can’t be killed, and the animal can’t be relocated outside of the county it resided in when it bit.
What is rabies?
Rabies is an infectious viral disease that is transmitted to humans through bites, scratches, or via the saliva of infected domestic or wild animals. The rabies virus infects the nervous system in mammals and causes aggression (biting for no reason), excessive salivation, and eating abnormal items.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Rabies?
The initial symptoms of infection with the rabies virus may be very similar to the flu and last for days. Later signs and symptoms of infection may include, but are not limited to: fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, confusion, hyperactivity, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, fear of water, and hallucinations.
What happens if my animal starts exhibiting signs of rabies?
Contact the Camden County Department of Health (856-374-6044) and your veterinarian immediately. If the animal must be taken to the shelter, please inform them that the animal is currently under quarantine by the Camden County Department of Health.
If I decide to have my animal euthanized or it dies within the quarantine period what happens?
The euthanized or deceased animal is prepared and shipped to the New Jersey Public Health Environmental Laboratory (NJPHEL) for testing. Once the testing results are obtained the health department will notify the affected parties.
What are my Responsibilities as an Animal Owner?
If you own an animal capable of transmitting rabies you are responsible for ensuring that it is up to date on its rabies vaccinations. If your animal or another non-human mammal bites a human a report must be made to the health officer of the local health department where the bite occurred. The report can made by any health care provider, licensed veterinarian with knowledge of the bite, or by the individual bitten. Animal owners should also take steps to make sure that their animals are unable to freely leave properties to reduce the potential for animal bites. Animals may be confined to the residence of the owner, a shelter, or a kennel. The animal owner or harborer is responsible for the expenses incurred for confinement of the animal.
What should I do if myself and/or my pet is exposed to a wild animal?
Contact the Camden County Health Department as soon as possible. Animal control or the police should also be contacted if the wild animal is available to be picked up so that it can be tested for rabies. If your animal was exposed call your veterinarian to seek a rabies booster vaccination. If you were exposed, seek medical attention immediately.
New Jersey Department of Health Rabies Information Page
Rabies Vaccine Clinic:
| Berlin | April 20, 2024 | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM | 59 S. White Horse Pike, Berlin NJ 08009 |
| Haddonfield | April 27, 2024 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM | 242 Kings Hwy. East Haddonfield, NJ 08033 |
| Camden | April 27, 2024 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM | 1000 N. 6th Street, Camden, NJ 08102 |
| Laurel Springs | April 27, 2024 | 10:00 AM-11:00 AM | 723 W. Atlantic Ave. Laurel Springs, NJ 08021 |
| Voorhees | May 4, 2024 | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM | 2400 Voorhees Town Center, NJ 08043 |
| Bellmawr | May 11, 2024 | 8:30 AM–10:30 AM | 21 E. Browning Rd. Bellmawr, NJ 08031 |
| Camden | May 18, 2024 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | 1000 N. 6th Street Camden, NJ 08102 |
| Camden | June 8, 2024 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | 1000 N. 6th Street Camden, NJ 08102 |
| Clementon | June 15, 2024 | 9:00 AM–11:00 AM | 165 Gibbsboro Rd. Clementon, NJ 08021 |
| Camden | September 14, 2024 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | 1000 N. 6th Street Camden, NJ 08102 |
| Camden | October 5, 2024 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | 1000 N. 6th Street Camden, NJ 08102 |
Reportable Diseases
Our team conducts investigations into specific diseases mandated by law to be reported by hospitals, physicians, and health clinics. This imperative reporting is crucial in preventing outbreaks of communicable diseases. Additionally, our responsibilities encompass investigations into foodborne diseases, specimen transportation, and educational presentations. For further details, please contact us at 856) 374-6356.