Tuberculosis For Health Professionals
This page provides tuberculosis (TB) information and tools for health care professionals.
Reporting and Surveillance
Active tuberculosis (TB) disease is a Category I reportable condition in Wisconsin. Latent TB infection is a Category II reportable condition in Wisconsin.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The Wisconsin TB Program encourages clinicians to use the resources on the page linked below for the diagnosis and treatment of TB disease or latent TB infection.
Precautions
Health care personnel are potentially exposed to TB during health care activities. Facilities should establish TB infection control programs.
Nurse Care Management
Nurse care management helps ensure adherence to the TB treatment plan. Nurse case managers connect patients with needed clinical and social services throughout treatment.
Non-Risk-Based (Required) TB Screening and Testing
People without risk factors may need screening as a condition of employment, enrollment in school, admission to a health care facility, or for other reasons.
WEDSS
The Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS) is a secure, web-based system designed to facilitate reporting, investigation, and surveillance of TB and latent TB infection (LTBI).
Latent TB infection medication availability
Last updated 10/22/24*
Stable availability: Isoniazid (INH), Rifampin (4R), Rifapentine (3HP)
*If new orders exceed supply, priority will be given to TB contacts and those with high-risk factors, F-02314 (PDF).
For LTBI medications in pill form, automatic refills will be dispensed. For liquid or compounded medication, please complete the following steps to send a refill request:
- Fill out the medical refill request form, F-44126 (PDF).
- Upload it to the filing cabinet in WEDSS.
- Change the status to "LTBI Medication refill order."
Please note that, as of 7/18/22, automatic refills are resumed for both 3HP and 4R.
- If you are obtaining 3HP or rifampin through another pharmacy, ensure that they have enough medication set aside to complete the entire course of treatment for your patient.
- Continue to check your email and this webpage for the most up to date information on LTBI medication supplies.
- Email the Wisconsin TB Program with any questions: DHSWITBProgram@dhs.wisconsin.gov, or by calling 608-261-6319.
TB events
Updated Guidelines for Tuberculosis Isolation in the Community
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has issued DPH Numbered Memo BCD 2024-03: Wisconsin Tuberculosis Statement on the National Tuberculosis Coalition of America (NTCA) Guidelines for Respiratory Isolation and Restrictions to Reduce Transmission of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Community Settings (PDF). This memo states the Wisconsin Tuberculosis (TB) Program recommends use of the NTCA Guidelines for Respiratory Isolation and Restrictions to Reduce Transmission of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Community Settings, 2024 to guide decisions about respiratory isolation and restrictions (RIR) for people with TB (PWTB) in the state of Wisconsin. It contains a summary of the statement and considerations when implementing the new recommendations.
A webinar reviewing the new recommendations for local and Tribal health department staff was given on October 16, 2024. Please see 'Recorded webinar' for the recording.
Spring 2025 Wisconsin Virtual Tuberculosis (TB) Summit
Join local, state, and national experts to learn more about TB, in Wisconsin and their work to understand and improve care for people diagnosed with TB across our community.
Recorded webinars from the Wisconsin TB Program
- Updated Guidelines for Tuberculosis Isolation in the Community (October 16, 2024): Review the Wisconsin TB Program recommendations for implementing the updated guidance on community respiratory isolation and restrictions (RIR) for people with TB (PWTB) in the state of Wisconsin. Passcode: ir?!^.?0 View the Updated Guidelines for TB Isolation in the Community recorded webinar (PDF).
- IGRA for Nurses (September 27, 2022): Learn about Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) blood tests and how they are used to identify patients with past or infection with TB. This knowledge will allow nurses to identify which indeterminate or borderline test results require follow-up.
- TB 101 (PDF) (August 24, 2021): Learn general concepts about TB. View the IGRA for Nurses recorded webinar.
- DHS TBLTBI Training for New Staff (April, 2023): A webinar by the Wisconsin TB Program introducing TB and LTBI concepts and reporting for new LTHD staff. View the recording of this webinar. View the DHS TBLTBI Training for New Staff recorded webinar.
- Financial Assistance through the Wisconsin Tuberculosis Program (PDF) (Sept. 14, 2021): Geared towards local health departments, learn more about resources available for evaluating and treating patients with TB and latent TB infection, including the TB Dispensary and the TB Treatment Assistance Programs. View the Financial Assistance through the Wisconsin Tuberculosis Program recorded webinar.
- Evaluation for TB Disease and TB Case Management (PDF) (Sept. 28, 2021): Learn about nurse care management for active TB disease. View the Evaluation for TB Disease and TB Case Management recorded webinar.
- The TB Laboratory (PDF) (Oct. 12, 2021, Simon, reproduced with permission): Learn about collecting specimens and interpreting testing for TB. View the TB Laboratory recorded webinar.
Check out additional archived webinars from the Bureau of Communicable Diseases.
2024 Wisconsin Mycobacteriology Laboratory Network Conference (WMLN) (Nov. 12, 2024): The annual WMLN conference is a forum for participants to share information and discuss issues related to maintaining state-wide excellence in mycobacteriology testing.
This workshop is intended for laboratory professionals currently performing mycobacteria culture or identification. It is also intended for public health personnel involved in mycobacteria case management or mycobacteria prevention efforts.
Questions about TB? Contact us
Email: DHSWITBProgram@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Phone: 608-261-6319 ǀ Fax: 608-266-0049