Measles Case Investigation Update Following a confirmed case of measles, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), in coordination with Public Health Madison & Dane County and Rock County Public Health, are working to identify and directly notify people who may have been exposed to the measles virus. The investigation has identified the following exposure locations in public settings for which a full list of exposed people cannot be obtained. Individuals who were at the following locations may have been exposed to…

(see release)

JenniferC.Miller

April 26, 2024

DHS Submits Plan to Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance on How to Use $36 Million in Opioid Settlement Funds  On April 1, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) submitted its plan for the annual share of $750 million of opioid settlement funds to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) . As a result of settlements reached by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Wisconsin will receive $36 million this year that will be used to prevent opioid use disorder while continuing and strengthening successful efforts for harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. “This is a thoughtful plan…

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JenniferC.Miller

April 2, 2024

DHS Encourages Homeowners, Property Owners, and Child Care Centers to Test for Radon During National Radon Action Month, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is encouraging home and building owners, along with child care providers, to test their buildings for radon. Radon, an odorless, radioactive gas naturally present in the ground , is found across Wisconsin, and enters buildings through their foundations. Approximately one in 10 homes in our state have elevated radon levels. The Environmental Protection Agency’s action level for safety is 4 picocuries per liter…

(see release)

JenniferC.Miller

January 2, 2024

DHS Continues to Make COVID-19 Treatment Easily Available as Cases Climb The Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ (DHS) most recent weekly  Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report  shows that COVID-19 activity is continuing to increase, sending more people to emergency rooms, especially among people aged 65 and older. The state’s Wastewater Monitoring Program, which tests samples of wastewater across the state has shown significant increases in COVID-19 activity statewide. Fortunately, treatments for COVID-19 are widely available, and the state’s free telehealth…

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JenniferC.Miller

December 12, 2023

Department of Health Services Urges Wisconsinites to Throw Away Applesauce Brands That are Part of Nationwide Recall Due to High Levels of Lead The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is advising food retailers and consumers to dispose of specific brands of applesauce containing cinnamon following a nationwide recall related to several brands of cinnamon applesauce puree pouches. These products may contain harmful levels of lead. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall for the following brands of applesauce puree that contain cinnamon: WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree pouches Schnucks cinnamon…

(see release)

JenniferC.Miller

December 6, 2023

DHS Releases New Interactive Medicaid Renewal Data Dashboard Today the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) updated its Medicaid Renewal Data webpage to include a new interactive dashboard. The new dashboard features additional metrics to help further tell the story of BadgerCare Plus and Wisconsin Medicaid enrollment following the end of the federal continuous coverage requirement that kept members enrolled during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We remain committed to transparency with our data so we can continue to help members, partner organizations…

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JenniferC.Miller

December 6, 2023

DHS and DOJ Announce Dose of Reality Roundtable Discussions on Wisconsin’s Opioid Epidemic The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) are announcing a series of roundtable discussions to hear directly from local communities who are working toward preventing overdose deaths in the state and helping Wisconsinites struggling with opioid use. “We are calling these roundtable discussions a “ Dose of Reality ” because we want to hear the reality of Wisconsinites experiences in their own communities,” said DHS Secretary-designee Kirsten Johnson. “We…

(see release)

JenniferC.Miller

December 5, 2023

DHS Recognizes World AIDS Day Tomorrow, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) will join countless other organizations around the state and across the country to observe the 35th annual World AIDS Day by honoring, celebrating, and advocating for those who have been impacted by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), a virus that weakens a person’s immune system by destroying the body’s cells that fight disease and infection. “This annual event is a reminder of the global struggle to end HIV-related stigma, and an…

(see release)

JenniferC.Miller

November 29, 2023

DHS Encourages Wisconsinites to Help End Childhood Lead Poisoning The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is marking National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week by encouraging all Wisconsinites to take steps to end childhood lead poisoning by getting the facts, helping children get tested for lead exposure, and checking homes for lead hazards. “Every child deserves a healthy start in life.” said State Health Officer Paula Tran. “Each year in Wisconsin, thousands of children have their futures put at risk because of lead exposure and poisoning. We know…

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JenniferC.Miller

October 19, 2023

Syphilis Cases Continue to Rise in Wisconsin-Affecting Babies, Teens, and Adults The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has issued a memo to health care providers in the state calling for increased awareness and testing for the sexually transmitted infection (STI) syphilis. Recently released 2022 surveillance data show a continued rise in cases in the state. Cases of syphilis increased 19% (1,608 to 1,916) from 2021 to 2022. Among those cases, congenital syphilis increased 81% (16 to 29) during this same time period. By comparison, Wisconsin had an average 0-2…

(see release)

JenniferC.Miller

October 6, 2023