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Disease Reporting

VISA/VRSA vancomycin-intermediate/resistant Staphylococcus aureus

VISA and VRSA are staphylococcal bacteria that are less susceptible (VISA) or are fully resistant (VRSA) to the antibiotic agent vancomycin, typically used to treat infections caused by other resistant staphylococcal bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). VISA and VRSA are usually susceptible to other antibiotics, and infections caused by these organisms are treatable.

People who are on prolonged treatment with vancomycin are at highest risk of acquiring VISA or VRSA infections, which are usually acquired in healthcare settings. Transmission in the community is rare, and healthy individuals are at low risk of acquiring VISA or VRSA infections. 

No known cases of VRSA infections have been reported in Wisconsin, and fewer than 20 cases of VISA infections have been reported since they become reportable diseases in 2007.

General information

VISA/VRSA fact sheet (PDF, 17 KB)  
MRSA fact sheet (PDF, 17 KB)  Hmong (PDF, 17 KB)  

Information for health professionals

• VISA

This is listed as a Category I disease in Wisconsin Administrative Code DHS 145 but may be reported as a Category II disease.

This is a Wisconsin Disease Surveillance Category II disease: 
Report to the patient's local public health department electronically, through the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS), by mail or fax using an Acute and Communicable Disease Case Report F44151 (PDF, 167 KB) or by other means within 72 hours upon recognition of a case. DHS Communicable Disease Reporting

• VRSA

This is a Wisconsin Disease Surveillance Category I disease:
Report IMMEDIATELY by TELEPHONE to the patient's local public health department upon identification of a confirmed or suspected case. The local health department shall then notify the state epidemiologist immediately of any confirmed or suspected cases. Submit a case report within 24 hours submit a case report electronically through the Wisconsin Electronic Surveillance System (WEDSS), by mail or fax using an Acute and Acute and Communicable Disease Case Report F44151 (PDF, 167 KB), or by other means. DHS Communicable Disease Reporting

• VISA/VRSA 
  • Wisconsin case reporting and public health follow-up guidelines: VISA/VRSA EpiNet (PDF, 81 KB)  
  • Guidelines for prevention and control of antibiotic resistant organisms in health care settings (PDF, 87 KB) 
    The purpose of these guidelines is to assist health care organizations in implementing comprehensive plans to manage patients, residents and clients with antibiotic resistant organisms. 
  • Management of multidrug-resistant organisms in healthcare settings, 2006  (exit DHS; PDF, 234 KB)  
  • VISA/VRSA in healthcare settings (Exit DHS)   

Contacts

Gwen Borlaug, Infection Control Epidemiologist
Wisconsin Division of Public Health 
Bureau of Communicable Diseases and Emergency Response
(Phone 608-267-7711)  (Fax 608-261-4976)

Wisconsin Local Health Departments - Regional offices - Tribal agencies

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Last Revised: July 18, 2012