Kontaktijälgimist

Kontaktijälgimist, also known as contact tracing, is a public health practice used to track down individuals who may have been exposed to a contagious disease. The primary goal is to identify, assess, and monitor people who have been in contact with an infected person. This process is crucial in controlling the spread of infectious diseases, particularly during outbreaks and pandemics.

The process typically begins once a new case of a contagious disease is confirmed. Public health officials then interview the infected individual to determine where they have been and who they have been in close proximity with during their infectious period. Close contacts are then identified and notified about their potential exposure. These individuals are usually advised to monitor for symptoms, get tested, and may be asked to quarantine or self-isolate for a specific period to prevent further transmission.

Contact tracing can be conducted manually by public health workers or, in some cases, with the aid of digital tools and applications. The effectiveness of contact tracing relies heavily on the cooperation of infected individuals and their contacts, as well as the efficiency and timeliness of the public health response. It is a cornerstone of infectious disease control strategies worldwide.