The Waukesha County Public Health Division provides information to assist schools in meeting the requirements of the Wisconsin Student Immunization Law (Chapter 252, Wis. Stats. and DHS 144 Wis. Admin Code). The information supplements the directions found in the Wisconsin School Immunization Requirements booklet available on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health website:
School Resources
The Waukesha County Public Health Division recognizes that schools deal with many public health issues. School personnel will find resources listed on this page on public health topics as they relate to schools. School personnel can report communicable diseases to the Waukesha County Public Health Division by phone at 262-896-8430, fax at 262-896-8387, or mail to 514 Riverview Avenue, Waukesha WI 53188.
Before vaccines, many children died from diseases that are now rare in the United States. Vaccines are our best protection against serious, sometimes deadly, diseases. To protect our children, Wisconsin law requires all students to do one of the following:
- Show proof they got required vaccines.
- Provide a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
All schools, childcare centers, and other public health agencies must follow vaccine laws. We work together with these groups to protect the health of our children.
School Reporting (by 40th Day of School)
The School Report to Local Health Departments will be submitted electronically. This year we will continue to utilize an online process for schools to report to the local health departments and the state.
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/reqs.htm
Please submit your report online by the 40th school day.
Other Webpage Resources:
Waukesha County Public Health Division is the agency designated by state law to receive reports of communicable diseases in Waukesha County residents. Upon receipt of a communicable disease report, an investigation is conducted to determine the source of infection and to prevent further disease spread in the community.
Use the Absenteeism form to report excessive absenteeism in the school when an unusual number of students describe having similar symptoms, or the absentee rate is above the norm.
Reportable Resources for School Personnel
Communicable Disease Reporting
Disease Reporting | Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Health Alert Network
When an event threatens the health of Wisconsinites, fast, efficient, and reliable communication to those responding can prevent illness and save lives.
The Wisconsin Health Alert Network (HAN) is the state’s public health messaging and alerting system for health care providers, public health officials, and first responders. It provides critical information about emerging public health events, treatment and prevention guidelines, and other relevant public health information. This webpage hosts HAN messages that have been sent in response to public health events impacting Wisconsin.
View news releases issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidance for the case management of pertussis. Prophylactic antibiotics to prevent pertussis are recommended for household contacts, individuals at highest risk of developing severe pertussis, infants, pregnant women in their 3rd trimester, and immune compromised individuals.
Pertussis Information from Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
Pertussis Fact Sheet:
School Letter Template Below (COPY & PASTE AS NEEDED):
Date: ___________________
To: Parents at ____________________________ School
From: __________________________________________
Re: Possible Exposure to Pertussis
This is to inform you that your child may have been exposed to pertussis (whooping cough) at (name of school) _____________________ in the ____________________ (grade/classroom). In addition, you should be aware that pertussis is widespread throughout Waukesha County and the State of Wisconsin. See the Pertussis Fact Sheet for information about the disease.
Pertussis is usually spread by direct face-to-face contact for an undefined period of time or close confined contact for an hour or more with someone who is sick with the disease. Examples of persons who are likely to catch pertussis are people in the same household, close friends, and people in a regular carpool.
Anyone, even someone who does not know s/he was exposed to pertussis, should see a doctor if s/he has one or more of the following symptoms:
- A cough that is lasting more than a week
- A long series of coughing that makes it difficult to catch your breath (coughing fits)
- Coughing fits that are followed by a whooping noise or vomiting
Some people are at greater risk for serious illness from pertussis. People who have pertussis or have symptoms of pertussis should avoid contact with the following high-risk individuals:
- Infants under one year of age; infants are more likely to become seriously ill, need hospitalization, and are more likely to die from pertussis
- Pregnant women who are in their 3rd trimester (newborn infant is at high risk of serious illness)
- Persons who are immunocompromised, have chronic lung disease (including asthma), or have neuromuscular diseases that make it difficult to swallow
- Household contacts (even when they are up to date with pertussis immunizations)
If a person from one of the high-risk categories above is exposed to pertussis, s/he should contact his/her physician to discuss getting antibiotics to prevent pertussis.
REMEMBER THE “A-B-V’s” OF PERTUSSIS
Antibiotics are available to prevent and treat pertussis
Babies are at high risk of serious illness if they catch pertussis
Vaccination is the best protection against pertussis (See Fact Sheet for schedule)
If you have any questions, please contact your doctor or the Waukesha County Public Health Division, Nurse Call Center at (262) 896-8430.
The Waukesha County Public Health Division is working with schools to encourage proper MMR vaccination among their student population. It is important to understand that in the event that a measles exposure would occur at your school, all students not fully vaccinated with MMR will not be allowed to attend school from day 7 – 21 after exposure.
Measles Information from Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
Measles Fact Sheet:
The Waukesha County Public Health Division is working with schools to encourage proper chickenpox vaccination among their student population. Vaccinated individuals with known chickenpox exposure can present with atypical rashes. Healthcare provider evaluations are encouraged.
Chickenpox Information from Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
Chickenpox Fact Sheet:
School Template Letters (English & Spanish Version below)
COPY & PASTE - English
Re: Notification about Chickenpox
This is to inform you that your child may have been exposed to chickenpox at (name of school) in the (classroom/grade). Please check your child’s immunization record to make sure s/he is protected against chickenpox. Your child is protected if s/he has had the chickenpox illness or if s/he has received two vaccinations. Some people who have been vaccinated against chickenpox can still get the disease. However, the symptoms are usually milder with fewer red spots or blisters and mild or no fever.
The classic symptom of chickenpox is a rash that turns into itchy, fluid-filled blisters that eventually turn into scabs. The rash may first show up on the face, chest, and back and then spread to the rest of the body, including inside the mouth, eyelids, or genital area. It usually takes about one week for all the blisters to become scabs. Other typical symptoms that may begin to appear 1 to 2 days before the rash include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, and headache.
Chickenpox spreads easily, mainly when a person touches or breathes in the virus particles that come from chickenpox blisters. It can also spread through tiny droplets that get into the air when someone who has chickenpox breathes or talks, for example. Chickenpox can spread 1 to 2 days before the infected person gets a rash until all the blisters have formed scabs. See the Chickenpox Fact Sheet for additional information about the disease.
The chickenpox vaccine is safe and effective and protects your child from this potentially serious and even deadly disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two shots for all children who have not had chickenpox. The first shot should be given at 12-15 months of age followed by the second shot at 4-6 years of age. If your child has had only one shot, it is recommended that s/he get the second shot as soon as possible.
If your child becomes ill with chickenpox, s/he will need to stay home until the blisters dry and form a scab.
If you would like to talk with a nurse to learn more about chickenpox disease or the chickenpox vaccine, please call Waukesha County Public Health Division at (262) 896-8430.
COPY & PASTE - Spanish
De: ____________________ (nombre de la escuela)
Con Referencia a: La notificación sobre la varicela
Esta notificación sirve para informarle que hay un caso de la varicela en el salón de clase de su niño(a) en _____________________________________________ (nombre de la escuela) en el ___________________________________ (salón de clase/grado). Favor de revisar el registro de vacunación (inyección) de su niño(a) para asegurarse que a él o ella está protegido(a) contra el virus de la varicela. Su niño(a) está protegido(a) si ha tenido el virus de la varicela o si ha recibido dos dosis de la vacuna contra la varicela. Vea la hoja informativa para obtener más información sobre el virus de la varicela.
La varicela puede ser una enfermedad leve o grave. Algunos niños tienen que ser hospitalizados. No es posible saber a quién tendrá un caso leve del virus de la varicela y a quién tendrá un caso grave o incluso mortal. No arriesgue la salud de su niño(a). La vacuna contra el virus de la varicela es segura y eficaz. Proteja a su niño(a) al hacer que su niño(a) sea vacunado(a).
Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) recomiendan que todos los niños que no hayan tenido el virus de la varicela deban recibir dos dosis de la vacuna contra la varicela; la primera dosis a los 12-15 meses y la segunda de los cuatro a los seis años de edad. Si su niño(a) ha tenido solo una dosis de la vacuna contra la varicela, se recomienda que su niño(a) reciba la segunda dosis lo más pronto posible.
Si su niño(a) se enferma con el virus de la varicela, él o ella deberá quedarse en casa hasta que todas sus ampollas de varicela se hayan secado y convertido en costras.
Si a usted le gustaría hablar con una enfermera para aprender más sobre el virus de la varicela o la vacuna contra la varicela, favor de llamar a la División de Salud Pública del Condado de Waukesha al (262) 896-8430.
The Waukesha County Public Health Division is working with schools to encourage proper MMR vaccination among their student population. When a mumps exposure occurs in the school, the Waukesha County Public Health Division will work with school personnel to manage cases and communicate with parents regarding mumps exposure and education. Students without proof of age-appropriate vaccinations will be isolated from attending school beginning day 12 – 25 after exposure.
Mumps Information from Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
Mumps Fact Sheet:
Mumps School Letter Template - English (COPY & PASTE AS NEEDED)
Re: Notification about Mumps
This is to inform you that your child may have been exposed to mumps at (name of school) in the (classroom/grade). Please check your child’s immunization record to make sure s/he is protected. Your child is protected if s/he had mumps or if s/he had received the recommended vaccination series.
Mumps is a contagious disease that is caused by a virus. Mumps typically starts with fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Most people will then develop swelling of their salivary glands. This is what causes the puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw. See the Mumps Fact Sheet for additional information about the disease.
Mumps can be prevented with the MMR vaccine. This protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. The CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Teens and adults also should be up to date on their MMR vaccination.
If your child becomes ill with mumps, s/he will need to stay home until 5 days following the onset of parotitis (swollen salivary gland/s).
If you would like to talk with a nurse to learn more about the mumps disease or the mumps shot, please call Waukesha County Public Health Division at (262) 896-8430.
Non-Reportable Resources for School Personnel