Other Reportable Diseases

Other Reportable Diseases

Disease reporting is an important function to monitor the status of the public’s health. There are many infectious diseases which, by law, must be reported by healthcare providers and laboratories to the Department of Health. Disease reporting allows public health officials to perform surveillance – the collection, analysis, and distribution of data about illness and death.

This page contains information regarding infectious diseases that are new or emerging, are not commonly seen in Vermont, or are no longer a serious threat to Vermonters because of vaccination and prevention methods. Although some of these diseases may not be common in Vermont, surveillance data continues to be collected to track disease trends.

In This Section

There have been no confirmed cases of AFM in Vermont since 2014. The Health Department is educating providers on what to look for and what actions to take if a patient comes in with symptoms consistent with AFM.

Several infectious diseases are either not seen in Vermont, or are no longer a serious threat here. But even rare diseases require attention due to the possibility of importation from people traveling abroad.

Haemophilus influenza (Hib) is a bacterium that can cause infections, such as pneumonia and ear infections. The most commonly known type is Haemophilus influenza type b (also called Hib).

Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaire's disease, a more severe infection, and Pontiac fever, a milder illness. People get sick from breathing in mists from a contaminated water source.

Measles is one of the most contagious of all diseases. Keeping measles immunization levels high in our communities is critical to preventing measles outbreaks.

Meningococcal disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection. It often occurs without warning – even among people who are otherwise healthy.

Mumps is a contagious viral illness that causes fever and swelling of the salivary glands. The best way to be protected from mumps is to be vaccinated.

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. The best protection is vaccination.

Pneumococcal disease is caused by a bacterium known as Streptococcus pneumoniae, also called pneumococcus, one of the most common causes of severe pneumonia.

Polio is a potentially disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus. Most U.S. adults are protected because of the vaccination program, and it is important for children to be vaccinated when recommended.