The Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Emerging Diseases' (OESED) Communicable and Emerging Diseases Program conducts disease surveillance for Harris County. The program comprises the Wastewater Surveillance Team, Disease Intake Team, and Liaison Team.

The Communicable and Emerging Disease Program works daily to identify, collect data, monitor, and control threats to public health, including diseases such as zoonotic diseases, foodborne illnesses, hospital-acquired infections, and emerging and re-emerging diseases. The program also provides education and guidance to internal and external partners regarding disease activity and reporting processes while staying current with local, state, national, and global disease trends.