Disease Reporting

The following diseases are of urgent public health importance and must be reported IMMEDIATELY by telephone to the patient's local health officer, or their designee, unless otherwise instructed by the state epidemiologist for specific reportable diseases. In addition to the immediate report, within 24 hours, complete and fax, mail, or submit a case report electronically through the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS), or by other means. Public health intervention is expected as indicated. See Wis. Admin Code. § DHS 145.04(3)(a) and Wis. Stat. § 252.05.

Notes key

1. Infectious disease or other condition designated as notifiable at the national level.
2. Required Wisconsin or CDC follow-up form completed by public health agency.
3. High-risk assessment by local health department is needed to determine if patient or member of patient's household is employed in food handling, daycare or health care.
4. Source investigation by local or state health department is needed.
5. Immediate treatment is recommended, i.e., antibiotic or biologic for the patient or contact or both.
6. Coordination between local and state health departments is recommended for follow-up.
7. Disease declared reportable by State Epidemiologist memo. Disease specific memos are linked from numeral seven in the Notes column above.

The following diseases shall be reported to the patient's local health officer, or the local health officer's designee, either electronically through the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS), by mail or fax using an Acute and Communicable Disease Case Report, F-44151, or by other means within 72 hours upon recognition of a case or suspected case, unless otherwise indicated. Public health intervention is expected as indicated. See Wis. Admin Code. § DHS 145.04(3)(b) and Wis. Stat. § 252.05.

The sexually transmitted diseases shall be reported to the local health officer within 72 hours on a Sexually Transmitted Diseases Laboratory and Morbidity Epidemiologic Case Report, F-44243 (Word fillable) or by entering the data into the WEDSS or by other means within 72 hours of the identification of a case or suspected case. Public health intervention is expected as indicated. See Wis. Admin Code § DHS 145.15 and Wis. Stat. § 252.11(7)(b).

Notes key

1. Infectious disease or other condition designated as notifiable at the national level.
2. Required Wisconsin or CDC follow-up form completed by public health agency.
3. High-risk assessment by local health department is needed to determine if patient or member of patient's household is employed in food handling, daycare or health care.
4. Source investigation by local or state health department is needed.
5. Immediate treatment is recommended, i.e., antibiotic or biologic for the patient or contact or both.
6. Coordination between local and state health departments is recommended for follow-up.
7. Disease declared reportable by State Epidemiologist memo. Disease specific memos are linked from numeral seven in the Notes column above.

**Refer to Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 181.05 for more stringent reporting timelines of blood lead tests.

The following disease shall be reported to the state epidemiologist on a Wisconsin HIV Case Report Form, F-44338 (Word and PDF), electronically through the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS), by fax, telephone, or mail within 72 hours after identification of a known or suspected case. Additionally, the following laboratory results shall be reported on all persons newly or previously diagnosed with HIV infection each time the test is conducted: all CD4+ test results (CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts and percentages), both detectable and undetectable HIV viral load results, HIV genotypic genotype results and all components of the HIV laboratory diagnostic testing algorithm when the initial screening test is reactive. See Wis. Stat. § 252.15(7)(b) and Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 145.04(3)(b)

Additional information about HIV reporting and testing algorithm

• Reporting HIV in Wisconsin, P-00541 (PDF)
• Understanding the HIV Testing Algorithm, P-01835 (PDF)

For questions, contact the HIV Program’s Surveillance Unit, DHSHIVsurveillance@dhs.wisconsin.gov

Notes key

1. Infectious disease or other condition designated as notifiable at the national level.
2. Required Wisconsin or CDC follow-up form completed by public health agency.
3. High-risk assessment by local health department is needed to determine if patient or member of patient's household is employed in food handling, daycare or health care.
4. Source investigation by local or state health department is needed.
5. Immediate treatment is recommended, i.e., antibiotic or biologic for the patient or contact or both.
6. Coordination between local and state health departments is recommended for follow-up.

Listing of Wisconsin Local Health Officers

Register to report electronically through WEDSS
(Note: 75% of disease reports are now received through WEDSS)

Bureau of Communicable Diseases
Phone: 608-267-9003

Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health
Phone: 608-266-1120

Secure fax numbers

HIV Program
608-720-3548

BEOH
608-267-4853

Epidemiology Program
608-261-4976

Immunization Program
608-267-9493

STD Program
608-261-9301

TB Program
608-266-0049

Copies may be mailed to:

Wisconsin State Epidemiologist (Communicable Diseases)
Bureau of Communicable Diseases
Specify Disease or Program
1 W Wilson St., Room 272
Madison, WI 53703

or

Wisconsin State Epidemiologist (Environmental and Occupational Health)
BEOH
1 W Wilson St., Room 150
Madison, WI 53703

​​Frequently used paper report forms

Acute and Communicable Disease Case Report form, F-44151
STD: F-44243
HIV: F-44338
LTBI: F-02265 (PDF)

Additional resources

• Reportable Communicable Disease Conditions in Wisconsin: P-03305 (PDF)
• Electronically order forms. Follow the instructions at the top of the page and email the order form to dhsfmdphpph@wisconsin.gov.