Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious disease that is caused by the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is from the same family of viruses as the smallpox virus. Monkeypox virus is usually found in Central and West Africa and normally does not spread in the United States. However, occasional outbreaks of monkeypox can occur in the United States and are usually associated with U.S residents traveling to countries where monkeypox is common. People who had monkeypox experienced symptoms including fever, cough, rash, and swollen lymph nodes
On June 30, 2022, DHS identified the first case of confirmed orthopoxvirus presumed to be monkeypox in a Wisconsin resident. Learn more about the current outbreak.

People most at risk for monkeypox include:  

• People who had close physical contact with a person who has monkeypox (such as household members or intimate partners).
• People who had close physical contact with a person who had a rash that looks like monkeypox.
• People who attended events or venues where monkeypox transmission has occurred. 

                             
  
                             DHS and CDC urge all Wisconsinites to take the following steps:  

  • Know the symptoms(link is external) and risk factors of monkeypox. 
  • Avoid skin-to-skin contact with individuals who are showing a rash or skin sores. Don’t touch the rash or scabs, and don’t kiss, hug, cuddle, have sex, or share items such as eating utensils or bedding with someone with monkeypox. 
  • In jurisdictions with known monkeypox spread, participating in activities with close, personal, skin-to-skin contact may pose a higher risk of exposure.  
  • If you were recently exposed to the virus, contact a doctor or nurse to talk about whether you need a vaccine to prevent disease. Monitor your health for fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes and new, unexplained rashes and contact a health care provider if one occurs. If you become ill, avoid contact with others until you receive health care.

• Outbreak of Monkeypox Virus 
  Updated 7/1/2022
• Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Contact with Backyard Poultry
  Updated 6/10/2022
• Hepatitis of Unknown Origin
  Updated 5/12/2022
• Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1)
  Updated 5/18/2022
• Measles
  Updated 10/8/2021
• COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019)
• E-cigarette or Vaping Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)
  Updated 1/11/2021

                                                      Recent investigations reported on CDC.gov

• U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak 2022 ANNOUNCED MAY 2022
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) ANNOUNCED JANUARY 2020
• 2018 Ebola Outbreak in Congo (DRC) ANNOUNCED MAY 2018
• 2017 Ebola Outbreak in Congo (DRC) ANNOUNCED MAY 2017

 International Travel  

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.

For a list of all Zika virus travel notices by region, visit Zika travel information.

                                                                                                 

                                                         Types Travel of Notices

Warning Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel to this destination. High risk to travelers, no precaution available to protect against the identified increased risk.

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.

Watch Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions-Reminder to follow usual precautions for this destination, as described in the Travel Notice and/or on CDC’s Travelers’ Health website. Usual precautions, may include being up to date on all recommended   vaccines and practicing appropriate mosquito avoidance. Usual precautions are  best possible protection against the identified increased risk.    

                              Please see the Travelers’ Health site for a complete list.

Updated 07/08/2022

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)