Communicable Disease-COVID-19 and others

Childhood Communicable Diseases

This chart was created and is maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This is the basis of school-based communicable disease control.

Respiratory Viruses

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services offers information about different respiratory viruses that impact the health of residents, including students attending schools. 

COVID-19: A Global Pandemic

Wisconsin Department of Health Services resource page. 

Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health This website has multiple resources for parents and caregivers. Check out the Feelings Thermometer.

Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination.

COVID-19 testing resources

All government funded community COVID-19 testing sites are now closed.  

Check the FDA list for at home antigen test kit expiration extensions here. 

COVID-19 at home antigen test kits may be purchased at local pharmacies. Limited supplies may be available at the local health department or the school your child attends.

Clinics and health systems may offer other COVID-19 test solutions and vary with each site.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Social distancing is the physical space between you and another person.  Keep a 6 foot distance between you and other people. 

Protect Yourself and others:

• Stay home when ill.
• Wear a well-fitting mask over your mouth and nose.
• Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
• Get vaccinated and keep up to date when boosters available.
• Regularly clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces and objects. 
• Avoid people who are sick.
• Limit your interactions when you are unwell.
• Increase ventilation of indoor spaces.

Wisconsin COVID-19 Data Portal  

Ways to Promote Children's Resilience to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This resource can support a parent in talking with children about what the COVID-19 situation means. This one is targeted to helping your children cope with the situation.  Building resiliency and providing a supportive relationship between children and trusted adults/parents are key to managing in this uncertainty. 

Non-Medical Questions:  TEXT COVID19 to 211-211  or  Call 211   or   Visit 211 Wisconsin.org (Assistance with finding food - paying for housing bills - accessing free childcare - other essential services 

Columbia County COVID-19 webpage.  

Marquette County COVID-19 webpage. 

Key Messages

• If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of COVID-19, please seek testing.
• The COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting changes to our lifestyles, can make anyone anxious or even depressed. Do not hesitate to ask for help if you're feeling overwhelmed. Call 988 to speak to a trained crisis counselor or text TalkWithUS to 66747.
• Together we can make a difference in the fight against COVID-19.

Personal protective equipment (PPE): Learning to put on and take off personal protective equipment, such as gloves, face masks and facial covers are as important as using one.  Here is a video on the proper use of PPE. This is a handout  How to don (put on), use and doff (remove) ppe.

MPox (Monkeypox) 

Mpox is a rare but potentially serious disease that is caused by the mpox virus. Mpox virus is from the same family of viruses as the smallpox virus. It is also less severe and transmissible than smallpox.

Mpox can spread from infected humans, animals, and materials contaminated with the virus.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services offers information and specific details of the monkeypox outbreak in Wisconsin.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers information and specific details about the monkeypox outbreak in the United States.

Meningitis

Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, the tissue and fluid covering the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis may be caused by a virus or a bacterium. Meningococcal meningitis is caused by a bacteria.

Students aged 11 years and older may be eligible for meningitis vaccine. Please speak with your child's health care provider about what your child needs or should have based upon your circumstances.  Some children aged 16 or older may need a booster dose of meningitis vaccine.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services provides detailed information on meningitis.  Details may be found here.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also provide information.

See details on where to get vaccines under the IMMUNIZATION tab.