Wisconsin statute Chapter 252 and Administrative Rule Chapter HFS 145 require the reporting of communicable diseases. There are currently over 81 communicable diseases that are required to be reported to the local Public Health agency. Once a communicable disease is reported, public health is required to investigate the circumstances and take all measures necessary to prevent, suppress, and control the spread of disease. When communicable disease reports are received, Public Health Nurses conduct follow-up activities. These may include interview of contacts, education, follow-up with treatment, collaboration with other health care providers and schools, and interventions to prevent further transmission.

Communicable Disease Resources

• Communicable Disease Fact Sheets (Wisconsin Department of Health Services)
• Disease Outbreaks and Investigations (Wisconsin Department of Health Services)

Frequently Requested Information

Chicken Pox

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services Chicken Pox Fact Sheet
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Chicken Pox Information

Hepatitis

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services Hepatitis Information
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Hepatitis Information

Influenza

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services Influenza Fact Sheet
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Seasonal Influenza Webpage

Meningococcal Meningitis

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services Meningitis Fact Sheet
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Meningitis Information

MRSA

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services MRSA Fact Sheet
• National MRSA Education Initiative Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Pertussis

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services Pertussis Fact Sheet
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pertussis Information

Rabies

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services Rabies Fact Sheet
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Rabies Information

Streptococcal Pharyngitis

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services Strep Throat Fact Sheet
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Strep Information

Tickborne Diseases

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tickborne Rickettsial Diseases Information

Tuberculosis

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services Tuberculosis Fact Sheet
• Division of Tuberculosis Elimination Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Information for Health Care Providers

• HFS 145 Appendix A Communicable Disease

Immunization Resources

• Wisconsin Immunization Program Website (Wisconsin Department of Health Services)

Handwashing Resources

Handwashing is a simple thing and it's the best way to prevent infection and illness. Clean hands prevent infections. Keeping hands clean prevents illness at home, at school, and at work. Hand hygiene practices are key prevention tools in healthcare settings, in daycare facilities, in schools and public institutions, and for the safety of our food.

In healthcare settings, handwashing can prevent potentially fatal infections from spreading from patient to patient and from patient to healthcare worker and vice-versa. The basic rule in the hospital is to cleanse hands before and after each patient contact by either washing hands or using an alcohol-based hand rub.

At home, handwashing can prevent infection and illness from spreading from family member to family member and, sometimes, throughout a community. In the home, the basic rule is to wash hands before preparing food and after handling uncooked meat and poultry, before eating, after changing diapers, after coughing, sneezing, or blowing one's nose into a tissue, and after using the bathroom.

• Handwashing Fact Sheet (Wisconsin Department of Health Services)
• Handwashing Resources (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Food Safety

In the United States, food poisoning kills about 9,000 people a year. By storing and cooking foods safely and keeping your kitchen clean, you can reduce your family's risk of illness. Housekeeping and Food Safety tips can be found on this page as well. Summertime picnics and grilling outdoors also require special precautions to keep food safe for everyone. The Holidays and preparing a turkey or hardboiled eggs for a celebration also present unique challenges for keeping food safe and preventing the spread of illness.

• Safe Food Handling (Wisconsin Department of Health Services)
• Food Safety Office (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)