Wisconsin Division of Public Health Disease Surveillance Manual (EpiNet, February 2005)
EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2008 THIS DISEASE IS NO LONGER REPORTABLE IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. THE GUIDELINES BELOW SHOULD BE FOLLOWED FOR CASES DIAGNOSED PRIOR TO MARCH 1, 2008 I. IDENTIFICATION
A. CLINICAL DESCRIPTION: An inflammation of the brain characterized sudden fever, headache, vomiting, heightened sensitivity to light, stiff neck and back, confusion and impaired judgment, drowsiness, weak muscles, a clumsy and unsteady gait, and irritability.
B. REPORTING CRITERIA: Clinical diagnosis
C. LABORATORY CRITERIA FOR CONFIRMATION:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) isolation of the virus, OR
- A 4-fold change in serum antibodies to a specific virus (no arboviral), OR
- Antibodies to a specific virus present in CSF at a comparable or higher amount compared to serum antibodies
Note: Examination for pleocytosis (increased number of cells in CSF) is highly recommended to identify viral encephalitis
D. WISCONSIN CASE DEFINITION: A clinically compatible illness diagnosed by a physician.
II. ACTIONS REQUIRED / PREVENTION MEASURES
A. WISCONSIN DISEASE SURVEILLANCE CATEGORY II: Report to the patient's local health officer on an Acute and Communicable Disease Case Report (DPH 4151) or other means within 72 hours of the identification of a case or suspected case.
B. EPIDEMIOLOGY REPORTS REQUIRED: Acute and Communicable Diseases Case Report (DPH 4151) and any available confirmatory laboratory results such as cell count and culture results of CSF.
III. CONTACTS FOR CONSULTATION
A. DPH REGIONAL STAFF: See Epinet Introduction: “REGIONAL OFFICE CONTACTS”.
B. BCD / COMMUNICABLE DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY SECTION: (608) 267-7321.
C. WSLH / VIRUS ISOLATION: (608) 262-3185.
IV. RELATED REFERENCES1. Heymann, DL J, ed. (See index for specific virus reference). In: Control of Communicable Diseases Manual. 18 th ed. Washington , DC : American Public Health Service, 2004.
V. DISEASE TRENDS
Wisconsin averages 23 reported cases of viral encephalitis annually (Figure 1).
