contact tracer
Disease link finder
A contact tracer is a public health worker who identifies and notifies people who may have been exposed to an infectious disease.
When someone tests positive, contact tracers interview them about recent interactions, then reach out to potentially exposed individuals with testing and quarantine guidance.
The role gained visibility during the COVID-19 pandemic: The health department hired dozens of contact tracers to slow the outbreak.
Formal questioning session
- isolation orderMandate requiring physical separation
- patient zeroFirst documented infection
- risk assessmentEvaluating likelihood of harm
- follow-up callSubsequent contact by phone
Actions taken during outbreaks
- community spreadDisease circulating locally, source unknown
- outbreak investigationSystematic search for disease source
- virus spreadPathogen's propagation through population
- COVID-19WHO-named 2019 coronavirus
Ebola · SARS · measles outbreak · tuberculosis · attack rate
One who tracks illness spread
- epidemiologistScientist studying disease spread
- case managerProfessional coordinating client services
- community health workerLocal trained care liaison
- health educatorTeaches others about wellbeing
rapid response team · field investigator · essential worker · crisis responder · temporary hire · burnout · caseload
interview
Formal questioning session
- isolation orderMandate requiring physical separation
- patient zeroFirst documented infection
- risk assessmentEvaluating likelihood of harm
pandemic response
Actions taken during outbreaks
- community spreadDisease circulating locally, source unknown
- outbreak investigationSystematic search for disease source
- virus spreadPathogen's propagation through population
COVID-19 · Ebola · SARS · measles outbreak · tuberculosis · attack rate
disease detective
One who tracks illness spread
- epidemiologistScientist studying disease spread
- case managerProfessional coordinating client services
- community health workerLocal trained care liaison
health educator · rapid response team · field investigator · essential worker · crisis responder · temporary hire · burnout · caseload
- Health Workerspublic health nurse, public health director, health officer, health inspector, community health worker
- epidemiologistsepidemiologist, disease detective
contact tracerdisease vector
Organism spreading pathogens
superspreader · Typhoid Mary · diagnostician · patient · patient zero
contact tracersuperspreader
Unusually contagious infected person
vector · carrier · transmitter · infector
contact, tracer, contacts, contacted, contacting, contactable, trace, traces, traced