University of North Texas 
Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by germs (such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) that enter the body, multiply, and can cause an infection. Some infectious diseases are contagious (or communicable), meaning they are capable of spreading from one person to another. Other infectious diseases can be spread by germs carried in air, water, food, or soil. They can also be spread by vectors (like biting insects) or by animals to humans. (CDC 2023)1
The Public Health Program provides guidance and recommendations for the protection of students, faculty, and staff in the event of any suspected or confirmed cases of infectious disease on campus, and monitors disease trends that have the potential to appear on campus. Specific questions or concerns regarding infectious disease can be referred to the Public Health Program Manager. Please reach out to your primary care provider or the Student Health and Wellness Center if you are experiencing symptoms of an illness.
COVID-19
The best way to ensure your personal safety with regard to COVID-19 is to obtain a full course of vaccination, including eligible booster shots. Vaccinations have been found to drastically reduce the chance of experiencing severe impacts from COVID-19 and minimize transmission of the disease.
Contact the Student Health and Wellness Center or your primary care physician for more information or for testing.
Flu
The best way to protect yourself and the campus community from the flu is to get an annual flu shot, recommended for everyone 6 months and older. If you are experiencing fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, muscle aches and headaches, contact your health care provider immediately, and take antivirals if prescribed. Follow the advice of your health care provider regarding when you can return to work or school. Cover your cough and sneeze, avoid people experiencing flu symptoms, stay home when you feel sick, and wash your hands often.
Contact the Student Health and Wellness Center, your primary care physician or a local pharmacy for information on obtaining the annual flu shot. The CDC recommends getting your flu shot by the end of October each year. Vaccination after October can still provide protection during the peak of flu season.
Immunizations
The Student Health and Wellness Center offers various immunizations for students. Faculty and staff can receive immunizations through their primary care provider, pharmacy, or local health department.
Bacterial meningitis is the only required immunization for students, however the Student Health and Wellness Center recommends that all students have current immunizations for COVID-19, tetanus, measles, mumps, diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, pertussis, polio, rubella, and varicella. For more information on required and recommended immunizations for students, please see the Student Health and Wellness Center website.
Mosquito Safety
Some mosquitoes carry West Nile Virus. Mosquitoes only need two tablespoons of water to breed, and water can collect just about anywhere. Each year, the City of Denton implements its Mosquito Surveillance and Response Plan. The main goal of mosquito control is to decrease the number of adult mosquitoes by eliminating breeding grounds wherever possible. Please visit the City of Denton Mosquito Safety page to view the current Risk Level and probability of human outbreak.
Tuberculosis
For information on tuberculosis screening and testing for international students, please see the Student Health and Wellness Center website.
More Information:
Denton County Influenza Surveillance Reports
Denton County Mosquito Map - West Nile Virus Cases
City of Denton Mosquito Surveillance and Response Plan
1 Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)