The NICD functions as a national resource for providing information and specialist consultancy services in communicable diseases to public health authorities, including national, provincial and local governmental departments of health, healthcare professionals, the public and international health bodies.

In addition to direct communication, the NICD issues publications via the internet and in-house publications on a regular basis to communicate issues related to communicable diseases such as outbreak news locally and internationally, immunization and travel advisories, reviews, etc.

Within this function are also included consultancy services such as for: –

• Patient management
• Public health communicable diseases problems
• Post exposure counselling and interventions
• Travel advisories
• Immunization advisories
• Outbreak management
• Forward planning