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My Healthy Community: Delaware Environmental Public Health Tracking Network

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Overview

Infectious diseases are caused by organisms โ€” such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Many organisms live in and on our bodies. They're normally harmless or even helpful. But under certain conditions, some organisms may cause disease.

Some infectious diseases can be passed from person to person. Some are transmitted by insects or other animals. And you may get others by consuming contaminated food or water or being exposed to organisms in the environment. Many infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 and the Flu, can be prevented by vaccines.