Infectious Disease Prevention and Control

While the risk of exposure to rabies is low in St. Louis County, the risk of rabies transmission after an animal bite needs to be ruled out or preventative medical care provided.

An infection with the rabies virus is nearly always fatal if treatment is not started before the appearance of symptoms. Time is an important factor for needed treatment. The person who has been bitten should contact a healthcare provider immediately to determine what treatment is recommended.

Public health professionals follow-up on reported animal bites and assess the risk of rabies transmission. They contact the person bitten AND the animal owner to evaluate the situation and make recommendations.

The Minnesota Department of Health provides information on a large number of Infectious Diseases and Conditions.

The Infectious Diseases in Childcare Settings and Schools manual (Hennepin County) is a resource that contains fact sheets about a number of infectious diseases, as well as information for disease prevention and control. Information is intended for parents, childcare providers, and school health staff.
 

Public Health has a grant from MDH to conduct outreach and provide an Early Intervention Service (EIS) program to reduce the risk of HIV transmission in Greater Minnesota residents who are at highest risk for acquiring HIV. 

The EIS program will be available until December 31, 2019.

Please contact Rillis Eklund, Disease Intervention Specialist at 218-725-5240 for additional information.

St. Louis County offers public immunization clinics for children 18 years of age or younger who are eligible for Minnesota Vaccine for Children (MnVFC).  Children enrolled in a Minnesota Health Care program (Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare) are encouraged to see their primary health care provider for Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC) exams and immunizations.

To schedule an appointment call:

• Public Health-South at 218-725-5210 
• Public Health-North at 218-471-7600

MnVFC Information:

• Can My Child Get Free or Low Cost Shots?

Immunization Trends and Data:

• Childhood
• Adolescent
• Adults
• Influenza

Immunization Resources:

• MDH Immunization
• Vaccine Preventable Diseases
• MDH Flu Statistics 
• Are your Kids Ready? When to get vaccines Birth to 16 years
• Can My Child Get Free or Low Cost shots?
• International Travelers Information
• Where can I Find My immunization records?

Public health professionals provide education, and medication monitoring of persons requiring treatment for active(TB) and latent Tuberculosis (TB).

A Public Health Nurse administers and interprets Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Tests (TST) for St. Louis County residents and staff at risk of TB exposure. To schedule an appointment, call the Public Health Division.