§ 63-1-501. Definitions.

For the purposes of this article:

(a) The term "disease" means the disturbances of the normal functions or alterations of the state of the human body resulting in physical or mental ill health and/or disability.

(b) The term "prevention" means any and all conditions that may preclude or reduce the possibility of the onset or beginning of disease.

(c) The term "control" means any and all procedures which modify, or may modify, favorably the course of disease.

(d) The term "communicable disease" means an illness due to a specific infectious agent or its toxic products, arising through transmission of that agent or its products from reservoir to susceptible host, either directly as from an infected person or animal, or indirectly through the agent of an intermediate plant or animal host, a vector, or the inanimate environment.  It also means an infestation by an ectoparasite and similar species.

Laws 1963, c. 325, art. 5, § 501, operative July 1, 1963.