Communicable Diseases Update 2/22/2023: Norovirus test positivity at the WI State Lab of Hygiene has been on the rise. For the week ending February 11, 8.9% of norovirus tests at the lab were positive - view the graph The percent positive rate in the entire Midwest region is over 15%. Protect yourself and others from norovirus: -Wash your hands often -Rinse fruits and vegetables -Cook shellfish thoroughly -Stay home when sick and for two days after symptoms stop -Avoid preparing food for others when sick and for two days after symptoms stop COVID-19: Click Here Monkeypox Fact Sheets and Toolkits: Monkeypox Virus Monkeypox: Symptom Monitoring Monkeypox: What Everyone Needs to Know to Prevent the Spread Monkeypox: What College Students Need to Know Monkeypox: Communications Toolkit for Colleges and Universities A communicable disease, also known as an infectious disease, is an illness transmitted through direct contact with an infected individual or animal – or indirectly through contact with a vector such as a mosquito, tick or plant, with blood or bodily fluids, or by breathing in an airborne virus or bacteria. As part of Wisconsin State Statute, 252 – Communicable Diseases, the NSHD is required to follow up and respond to all Category I and II diseases and conditions considered to have significant public health impact. Click here to learn more about the work that the NSHD does in communicable disease. The Wisconsin Public Health Association is requesting funding be added to the State’s 2017-2019 Biennial Budget to support our communicable disease efforts. Wisconsin has no dedicated funding for Communicable Disease control and prevention, despite local health departments having 20 state mandates requiring disease surveillance, investigation, prevention and control. Click here to learn more. North Shore Communicable Diseases Data: For more information on reportable communicable diseases in the State of Wisconsin visit: DHS Communicable Disease Website: Click Here Reportable Diseases in WI - DHS 145: Click Here Who is responsible for reporting DHS 145: Click Here Health Administration and Supervision Chapter 250: Click Here Disease Specific Information WI Department of Health Services - Rabies WI Department of Health Services - Influenza Vector-Borne Diseases Vectors are mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas that spread pathogens. A person who gets bitten by a vector and gets sick has a vector-borne disease. CDC - Vector-Borne Diseases CDC - Information About Ticks Tick Kit: