Communicable Disease
Communicable disease (CD) staff play an important role in detecting, preventing, and controlling communicable diseases in the community.
Our staff:
- Investigate and follow-up on all reportable communicable diseases and disease outbreaks in Winnebago County
- Educate the public and healthcare professionals about communicable diseases and outbreak management
- Assure treatment
- Monitor disease rates and trends
- Guide strategies to prevent the spread of disease
IGRA flow.pdfHealthcare Provider Education by WCHD
- Printed 50 charts that clarify Wisconsin CD reporting instructions and distributed to providers in our region.
- Surveyed healthcare providers on the Winnebago County Quarterly Report; updated the style and process to increase situational awareness for local providers.
Community Outreach
- As of July 1, 2018, Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) is a Reportable Condition in Wisconsin.
- School Surveillance Reports have expanded to include a parental version that anyone from the community can get (sign up here).
STI Rates in Winnebago County
STI rates continue to rise in Winnebago County, as they are in most areas of the US. Although some funding was provided in 2018 to help with STI follow-up calls, there were still significant increases in Gonorrhea, and those testing positive that are pregnant and/or under the age of 19.
New efforts are underway to partner with local high schools and post secondary education facilities to bring prevention education to a targeted audience in alignment with the Healthiest WI focus areas.
Immunization
- WCHD provided 506 influenza vaccines to Winnebago County employees
- According to the 2018 County Health Rankings, Winnebago's childhood immunization rate (78%) was above Wisconsin's average (73%) but lower than our neighboring counties (Calumet = 85% Outagamie = 81%).
- Immunization Statistics and Resources
- Northeast Wisconsin Immunization Coalition (NEWIC) provides the community with resources such as immunization symposiums, school nurse in-services on vaccinations, and Immunization Tool Kits to physician offices. NEWIC has also done media outreach to both vaccine providers and consumers. As an advocate for vaccination, NEWIC also supports educational outreach to legislation for better immunization funding.
Harm Reduction
2018 Lifepoint Needle Exchange Statistics
- 1,148 visits provided
- 2,179 people served
- 30,074 needles safely disposed
The case for harm reduction can be complicated to explain, this video is a great resource to use when sharing the importance of harm reduction for our community.
Fast Facts are communicable disease facts published in short bits monthly to make this information less intimidating and easier to implement.
