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Communicable Diseases & Reportable Conditions
Information
Health care providers and medical laboratories have important roles when it comes to aiding public health officials in preventing the spread of communicable diseases in our community.
Diseases and conditions that are reportable are considered to have significant public health impact and any confirmed or suspect cases must be reported promptly. Public health provides guidance, education, follow up, and surveillance for state reportable diseases and conditions as outlined in Wisconsin state statute or by the state health department:
General reporting requirements (WI Chapter 252.05)
Specific reporting requirements (WI Chapter DHS 145)
COVID reporting requirements (Wisconsin Department of Health Services)
What Needs to be Reported
Any Health Care Provider or laboratory is required to report reportable diseases and conditions. See this printable list of Category I and Category II diseases and conditions from the WI Department of Health Services.
Category I Diseases:
Category I diseases are of particular importance and must be reported immediately to local public health.
- During normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm):
- Call the Nurse of the Day line at 262-636-9108, and
- Through the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance (WEDSS) or via fax to 262-636-9564 within 24 hours.
- Outside of normal business hours:
- Call 262-883-2300 to reach the Racine County Communications Center non-emergency line. Request to speak with the City of Racine Public Health Department for a communicable disease concern. Your call will be returned as soon as possible.
Category II Diseases:
Category II diseases must be reported within 72 hours to local public health:
- Through the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS), OR
- by phone at 262-636-9108, OR
- by fax at 262-636-9564 using the appropriate disease reporting form linked below.
Reporting Forms and Information
Infection Prevention and Control
We work with health care providers and infection prevention staff to reduce the risk of communicable disease transmission.
Infection prevention and control involves practices and measures to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in all healthcare settings and the community. This includes hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, isolation precautions, environmental cleaning and disinfection, respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, waste management and other practices to help reduce the transmission of infectious diseases.
See below for additional resources regarding infection prevention and control practices:
