Communicable Disease Control
The Wisconsin Department of Health Service (DHS) is working with state and federal partners to investigate a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to a yet unknown food source.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), 18 people in 15 states have been infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria. Seventeen people have been hospitalized and zero deaths have been reported.
Wisconsin has two laboratory-confirmed cases and zero deaths linked to this outbreak.
Recall information: None currently.
Advice to consumers
DHS and CDC urge people to take the following steps:
- Call a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of Listeria.
- Pregnant people usually experience only fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, Listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns.
- People who are not pregnant may experience headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, in addition to fever and muscle aches.
Provide information to help identify the source of the outbreak.
- If you are diagnosed with Listeria, someone from your local or tribal health department or DHS may contact you to find out what you ate in the month before you became sick. You may also be asked for copies of receipts, shopper card numbers, or leftover food for testing.
- Share the latest outbreak information with your friends and family who are at higher risk of getting sick from Listeria (aged 65 and older, are pregnant, or have a weakened immune system)
See the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC for more information on this investigation, and to stay up to date on other food-borne outbreaks and recalls.
Updated May 30, 2023
U.S.-Based Outbreaks
Recent investigations reported on CDC.gov linked here
- Suspected Fungal Meningitis - Epidural Related Surgeries in Mexico ANNOUNCED MAY 2023
- Raw Cookie Dough - Salmonella infections ANNOUNCED MAY 2023
- Backyard Poultry – Salmonella Infections ANNOUNCED MAY 2023
- Flour - Salmonella infections ANNOUNCED MARCH 2023
- Unknown Food Source – Listeria Infections ANNOUNCED FEBRUARY 2023
- Drug-resistant Infections Associated with Artificial Tears ANNOUNCED FEBRUARY 2023
International Based Outbreaks Complete list of international outbreaks are linked here
Updated May 30, 2023 Please see the Travelers’ Health site for a complete list.
Travel notices are designed to inform travelers and clinicians about current health issues related to specific international destinations. These issues may arise from disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters that may affect travelers’ health.
For country-specific information about Safety and Security, visit the US Department of State Travel Advisories page.
For country-specific information about weather conditions, visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) International Weather Selector webpage.
Travel Notices Affecting International Travelers
Please see the Travelers’ Health site for a complete list .
Warning Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel to this destination. High risk to travelers, no precaution available to protect against the identified increased risk.
- Health Infrastructure Breakdown in Venezuela September 30, 2021CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Venezuela. The country is experiencing outbreaks of infectious diseases, and adequate health care is currently not available in most of the country. Read More >>
Alert Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions for this destination. Travel Notice describes additional precautions added, or defines a specific at-risk population, to protect against this identified increased risk.
- Updated Fungal Infections Following Surgical Procedures in Mexico May 26, 2023 Recently, some US residents returning from Matamoros, Mexico, were diagnosed with suspected fungal meningitis infections that have led to severe illness and death. Read More >>
- Updated Marburg in Equatorial Guinea May 12, 2023On February 13, 2023, Equatorial Guinea declared an outbreak of Marburg virus disease. Confirmed cases have been reported in multiple districts. Read More >>
- Malaria in Costa Rica April 17, 2023There is currently an outbreak of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in the province of Limón, Costa Rica. There is also malaria transmission in Alajuela Province.Read More >>
- Global Polio March 22, 2023Some international destinations have circulating poliovirus. Before any international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines.Read More >>
- Diphtheria in Nigeria February 24, 2023There is an outbreak of diphtheria in several states in Nigeria. Vaccination against diphtheria is essential to protect against disease. If you are traveling to an affected area, you should be up to date with your diphtheria vaccines.Read More >>
- Updated Global Measles May 16, 2023Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles. Read More >>
- Dengue in the Americas April 17, 2023Dengue is a risk in many parts of Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Some countries are reporting increased numbers of cases of the disease. Travelers to the Americas can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. Read More >>
- Dengue in Asia and the Pacific Islands April 17, 2023Dengue is a risk in many parts of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Some countries are reporting increased numbers of cases of the disease. Travelers to Asia and the Pacific Islands can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. Read More >>
- Chikungunya in Paraguay April 06, 2023There is an outbreak of chikungunya in Paraguay. Most cases have been reported in the Asunción metropolitan area. Mosquitos spread the virus that causes chikungunya. Read More >>
- Marburg in Tanzania March 27, 2023On March 21, 2023, Tanzania declared an outbreak of Marburg virus disease. Confirmed cases have been reported in the Kagera Region. Read More >>
- Nipah Virus in Bangladesh February 24, 2023There is an outbreak of Nipah virus disease in several districts in Bangladesh. This outbreak is related to the consumption of date palm sap. Read More >>
- Dengue in Africa and the Middle East December 05, 2022Dengue is a risk in many parts of Africa and the Middle East. Some countries are reporting increased numbers of cases of the disease. Travelers to Africa and the Middle East can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. Read More >>
Updated May 30,2023
Wisconsin State Law requires the reporting of communicable diseases to the local Health Department. Report notifiable conditions to 414-423-2110. Communicable disease can be reported by individuals, laboratories, or health care professionals. The law requires that public health nurses provide surveillance and investigation to prevent and control the spread of disease. Requirements for the timing of reporting, once the disease or condition is recognized or suspected, vary by disease. General reporting requirements are described in Wisconsin Statute Chapter 252, Communicable Diseases. The specific reporting requirements are described in Chapter DHS 145, Control of Communicable Diseases. A list of reportable conditions is provided in Chapter DHS 145 - Appendix A.
Some reportable diseases include: hepatitis, meningitis, pertussis (whooping cough), Lyme disease, tuberculosis, food and waterborne outbreaks, and sexually transmitted infections. A Public Health Nurse will contact the individual, family and contacts to provide them with information and counseling about the disease. Public Health Nurses are available to answer questions that residents may have regarding a communicable disease. Fact sheets and pamphlets with information on specific diseases are also available on request.
The prevalence of communicable disease depends upon many environmental factors. For information on a specific communicable disease, please visit one of the following reputable websites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (www.cdc.gov)
Wisconsin Department of Health Services (www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/communicable)