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Personal Health Division

Health Care Professionals Disease Reporting

Reporting of cases of infectious diseases, outbreaks, unusual occurrences or an epidemic of any disease or condition is a vital step in controlling and preventing the spread of communicable disease in our community.

By law, these must be reported to local and state public health departments. The HIPAA Privacy Rule allows for the disclosure of protected health information, without individual client/patient authorization, to public health authorities, who are authorized by law to collect or receive protected health information for the purpose of preventing or controlling disease.

In addition, the Michigan Public Health Code and administrative rules give the local and state health departments the authority and responsibility to investigate cases of disease and suspect transmission.

Physicians, laboratories, general care providers, and infection control practitioners who need to report communicable disease infections or have questions can call or email our communicable disease team 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Phone: (269) 373-5044
Email: epihelp@kalcounty.com
Fax: (269) 373-5060

Disease Specific Information

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by the blacklegged tick. It is the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States and it is spreading across the state of Michigan. Typical clinical signs include flu-like symptoms however, if left untreated may spread to joints, the heart, and/or the nervous system. The majority of cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics. Finding and removing ticks promptly can prevent Lyme disease.
Treatment for Lyme disease varies based on the stage of disease. Please review the CDC Treatment Guidance for up to date information.

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Michigan Lyme Disease Risk Map

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Measles (Rubeola)

Measles is an acute viral respiratory illness. It is characterized by a prodrome of fever (as high as 105° F) and malaise, cough, coryza, and conjuctivitis - the three "C"s -, a pathognomonic enanthema (Koplik spots) followed by a maculopapular rash. The rash usually appears about 14 days after a person is exposed. The rash spreads from the head to the trunk to the lower extremities. Patients are considered to be contagious from 4 days before to 4 days after the rash appears. Community-wide vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. All children should be vaccinated against measles. The vaccine is safe, effective, and inexpensive. Children should receive two doses of the vaccine to ensure they are immune. For more information, visit Measles Fact Sheet for Providers.

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Measles Flyer

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Syphilis

Syphilis is a systemic sexually transmitted bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum. There are four stages of Syphilis: Primary, Secondary, Latent, and Tertiary.

Primary Stage:

  • One or more chancres (usually firm, round, small, and painless but can be atypical, subtle lesions) thought to appear at site of exposure (mainly genital area) about 3 weeks after infection (range 10-90 days)
  • Chancres can heal on their own in a few days to weeks, even without treatment
  • Patient is highly infectious, and in utero transmission is likely in pregant women

Secondary Stage

  • Mucocutaneous lesions (most commonly rashes) can occur as chancre(s) fade roughly 6 weeks after infection (range 3 weeks to 6 months)
  • Rashes may first appear on the palm of hands or the soles of feet, but typically appear on trunk and other areas of the body
  • Lesions such as condyloma lata, a moist, wart-like lesion found in the genital area and mucous patches on the tongue occur in about 25% of patients
  • Other common findings: lymphadenopathy and constitutional symptoms. Less common: patchy alopecia (about 10% of patients) and neurologic symptoms (1-2% of patients)
  • Symptoms clear within 2 to 6 weeks, but may take up to 3 months, even without treatment
  • In utero transmission is likely in pregnant women

Latent Stage

  • Early Latent:
    • Patient has reactive nontreponemal and treponemal tests within 1 year of onset of infection, but no symptoms
    • Patient is potentially infectious, as signs of primary and secondary syphilis can reoccur and go unnoticed
  • Late Latent or Latent of Unknown Duration:
    • Patient has reactive nontreponemal and treponemal tests ≥ 1 year of onset of infection or onset of infection cannot be determined, but no symptoms
    • Patient is not infectious in late latent stage but may be in latent of unknown duration if onset of infection within the past year

Tertiary Stage

  • Manifestation in skin and bones (gummas), and cardiovascular system
  • Patient is not infectious
  • In utero transmission can occur during ANY latent stage of syphilis but is more likely in early latent stage

For more information and to find the full guide, click here.

CDC’s Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Treatment Guidelines, 2021 provides currentevidence-based prevention, diagnostic and treatment recommendations that replace the 2015 guidance. The recommendations are intended to be a source for clinical guidance. A mobile application is also available for accessible treatment guidance.

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Syphilis Treatment Wall Chart

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Contact Us

311 E. Alcott St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49001

269-373-5200 (HCS main line)
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