Communicable Disease Division
The Communicable Disease Division (CDD) provides reference and specialized testing services in support of public health and ensures statewide access to laboratory expertise and capabilities in the disciplines of bacteriology, mycobacteriology, virology, parasitology, molecular microbiology, and serology. The CDD also coordinates a network of clinical laboratories throughout Wisconsin for emergency and public health response, as well as facilitates planning among clinical laboratories, local public health laboratories and other state-level laboratories.
CDD News and Hot Topics
UPDATE 05/04/24: A new Measles IgM assay has been validated and testing is once again available at the WSLH. We will no longer send specimens to an outside reference lab beginning 05/04/24. There is no change to ordering, reporting, or billing compared to our previous test.
- Measles IgM Test Change Announcement Effective April 5, 2024
- Discontinuation of Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) IgM Testing Effective 02/01/2024
- Send out service for AST/ALT testing Discontinued 10/15/23
- Lyme Line Blot for IgG and IgM Discontinued 10/15/23
- In-house Anaplasma/Ehrlichia species PCR Discontinued 9/15/23
- SARS-CoV-2 Test Criteria Changing at the WSLH Effective 06/12/2023
- Alinity Serological Assays Announcement Effective 01/17/2023
- Mycoplasma genitalium Test Announcement Effective 09/01/2022
- Male Trichomonas vaginalis Testing Announcement Effective 12/14/2021
- Change in Weekend COVID-19 Virus Testing Effective 12/04/2021
- Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) test announcement Effective 03/15/2021
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) MIA Assay (Test code SS02291) Effective 09/01/2020
- Hepatitis C Virus PCR Assay (Test code SS00053) Effective 09/01/2020
- Legionella RT-PCR test Effective 07/22/2020
- Mycobacteria Rapid Grower Susceptibility Discontinued (test MM00207) Effective 11/11/2019
- Antibiotic resistance is becoming an ever-increasing problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have published a report, “Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States – 2013,” detailing the threat posed by these drug-resistant organisms to human health.
A to Z listing of Diseases
The link below connects to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alphabetical directory of information regarding infectious agents and diseases.
Note about Food Testing
The WSLH does NOT perform food testing. If you have a concern or question about food safety, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Division of Food Safety— http://datcp.wi.gov/Food/Food_Safety_Complaints/index.aspx
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