Infectious diseases

Hennepin County Epidemiology prepares for, prevents, investigates, and mitigates infectious diseases outbreaks. Part of this work involves collecting, organizing and disseminating data that help community members make healthy decisions and respond to communicable diseases.

Measles

Measles cases have been increasing in Minnesota, nationally and internationally. Measles is a serious disease that spreads easily and can lead to hospitalization and death.

The best way to prevent measles is to get the MMR vaccine. The vaccine is safe, effective, and widely available. Find providers for the MMR vaccine.

Measles fact sheets

Infectious diseases in childcare settings and schools manual

This resource contains technical and parent fact sheets about a variety of infectious diseases, as well as information for disease prevention and control. Information is intended for parents, childcare providers, and school health staff.

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Hennepin County HIV outbreak response

Hennepin County HIV outbreak

In February 2020, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) declared an HIV outbreak in Hennepin and Ramsey counties. The outbreak is concentrated among people who inject drugs, most of whom are experiencing homelessness or are unstably housed.

Since March 2020, Hennepin County has been responding to the outbreak. Hennepin County continues to work in the community, conducting outreach to homeless encampments, including testing and treatment, providing case management, HIV treatment, housing assistance and PrEP. The county collaborates with the Minnesota Department of Health and community prevention and care partners to coordinate response efforts.

Case characteristics for the HIV outbreak (PDF, 1MB)

HIV outbreak in persons who inject drugs (PWID): Supplement to MDH health advisory

Infectious diseases in childcare settings and schools manual

The “Infectious diseases in childcare settings and schools” manual informs administrators, childcare providers, caregivers, parents and guardians, and school health staff about specific infectious disease problems they may encounter in childcare settings or schools. This manual is designed to provide specific disease prevention and control guidelines which are consistent with the national standards put forth by the American Public Health Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

This sixth edition of this manual contains:

47 fact sheets specifically for parents/guardians of childcare and school-aged children. Each of these are labeled “Parent fact sheet.”
54 fact sheets for providers about specific infectious disease problems. Each of these are labeled “Provider fact sheet.”

Some provider fact pages indicate when immediate action is necessary. Please note that the provider must consult with the local or state health department on the fact sheets labeled “Reportable.”

Infectious diseases in childcare settings and schools manual

The "Infectious diseases in childcare settings and schools" manual now is maintained on our web site. This allows us to offer more frequent updates and provide you with the most current information available on infectious diseases.

Table of contents

Section 1 – Guidelines: staff and children

Section 2 – Guidelines: environment

Section 3 – Guidelines: prevention and control

Section 4 – Communicable disease reporting

Section 5 – Communicable disease control and management

Section 6 – Communicable disease fact sheets

Section 7 – Health care provider evaluation form (PDF, 1MB)

Section 8 – Immunization resource (PDF, 1MB)

Section 9 – Minnesota laws related to childcare/schools (PDF, 1MB)

Section 10 – Emergency preparedness (PDF, 1MB)

Section 11 – Glossary (PDF, 1MB)

Section 1 – Guidelines: staff and children

Exclusion of Ill Persons

Communicable Disease Concerns for Pregnant Women

Human Biting Incidents

General information about human biting incidents (PDF, 1MB)

Section 2 – Guidelines: environment

Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting

Diapering

Food Safety in Childcare Settings and Schools

General information about food safety in childcare settings and schools (PDF, 1MB)

Pets in Childcare Settings and Schools

General information about pets in childcare settings and schools (PDF, 1MB)

Wading Pools

General information about wading pools (PDF, 1MB)

Section 3 – Guidelines: prevention and control

Covering Your Cough

Gloving

General information about gloving (PDF, 1MB)

Handwashing

Infection Control Guidelines

Misuse of Antibiotics

General information about the misuse of antibiotics (PDF, 1MB)

Safe Handling of Breast Milk

General information about the safe handling of breast milk (PDF, 1MB)

Section 4 – Communicable disease reporting

Communicable Disease Reporting

General information about communicable disease reporting (PDF, 1MB)

Information includes:

Minnesota Reporting Rule
Reports from Parents/Guardians or Staff
Reports to Local/State Health Department
Local/State Health Department Disease
Prevention and Control Resources in Minnesota

Section 5 – Communicable disease control and management

General information about communicable disease control and management (PDF, 1MB)

Information includes:

Control and Management of Exposures and Outbreaks
Reports to Local/State Health Departments
Notification of Parents/Guardians and Childcare or School Staff
Sample line list (PDF, 1MB)

Section 6 – Communicable disease fact sheets

How and when to use fact sheets (PDF, 1MB)

Bedbugs

Provider fact sheet 2023 (PDF, 1MB)

Bronchitis, acute (chest cold/bronchiolitis)

Campylobacteriosis

C. Diff

Chest cold (see Bronchitis, acute)

Chickenpox (varicella)

Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

COVID-19

Croup

Cryptosporidiosis

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection

Diarrhea (infectious)

E. coli O157:H7 infection and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)

Enteroviral infection

Fifth disease (erythema infectiosum)

Giardiasis

H1N1 influenza (see Influenza)

Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Head lice

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

If you have a concern about hepatitis B, please contact Epidemiology at 612-543-5230.

Hepatitis C

If you have a concern about hepatitis C, please contact Epidemiology at 612-543-5230.

Herpes gladiatorum

Herpes, oral

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection/AIDS

If you have a concern about HIV, please contact Epidemiology at 612-543-5230.

Impetigo

Influenza - seasonal influenza, H1N1 influenza (also called swine flu), and influenza-like illness (ILI)

Lice (see Head lice)

Measles

Meningococcal disease

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Molluscum contagiosum

Mononucleosis

MRSA (see Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus)

Mumps (parotitis)

Norovirus

Parapertussis

Pertussis (whooping cough)

Pinworms

Pneumococcal infection

Pneumonia

Respiratory infection (viral)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection

Ringworm

Roseola

Rotaviral infection

Rubella (also called German measles)

Salmonellosis

Scabies

Shigellosis

Shingles (zoster)

Staph skin infection

Streptococcal infection (strep throat/scarlet fever)

Streptococcus pneumoniae (see Pneumococcal infection)

Tuberculosis

If you have a concern about tuberculosis, please contact Epidemiology at 612-543-5230.

Viral meningitis

Warts

Yeast infection (candidiasis)

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