Health Department


Our Mission: Promote Health - Prevent Disease - Protect the Public

Current Topics

Summer Topics

Safe swimming, fireworks safety, extreme heat, sun protection, food safety, insect repellents, Lyme Disease, West Nile virus, animal bites and more (click here)...

Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak in Shell Eggs

Information from the FDA Information from the CDC


SHOW logo

It's SHOW Time Again

The UW School of Medicine and Public Health is taking it's SHOW on the road to Washington County again this summer. The Survey of the Health Of Wisconsin folks are meeting with residents to measure their health.

Letter from the Health Officer SHOW Intro with Staff Pictures
Health Officer's Press Release SHOW Press Release


2010 County Health Rankings

Washington County ranks third out of 72 counties in health outcomes and fifth in health factors in the 2010 Wisconsin County Health Rankings. There is still room for improvement in behaviors such as eating healthy foods, increasing physical activity, getting adequate sleep, decreasing tobacco usage, and responsible use of alcohol and other drugs; and development of public policy that supports and encourages healthy behaviors. Click on the links to view the snapshot of Washington County or the county rankings, or visit the main site, www.countyhealthrankings.org for information about the health factors and rankings for any county in the U.S.


Committing to a healthier America is something we all can do. Public Health plays a role, and so can you.


Communicable Disease

Surveillance, prevention, and control

Disease Information for CitizensPreparing for Disasters and Pandemics
Health Care Provider ResourcesSchool and Day Care Resources
H1N1 InfluenzaWashington County Health Care Partners
Immunizations


Environmental Health

Environmental health looks at the effect the environment has on the health of humans as well as the effect that humans have on the health of the environment. Our environmental health specialists can help you with your environmental concerns.

Animal Bites and Rabies Lead Poisoning
Air Quality AdvisoriesLicensed Facilities
Food service and vending, public pools, lodging, tattoo and body piercing, campgrounds, and recreational/ educational camps
AsbestosMold
Beach Water TestingPest Control
Carbon MonoxideRadon
Fish Consumption AdvisoriesWater
Food and Waterborne DiseaseWest Nile Virus
Reporting a Sick or Dead Bird
For additional information on environmental health issues, call the Washington County Health Department at 262-335-4462 or go to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website, http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/data/topicalaf.asp#e , and click on Topics A-Z.

Safe and Healthy Living

The health we enjoy as individuals and as a community are profoundly affected by our access to reliable information and important services, and by our willingness to make use of both.

Car seat safetyPhysical Activity
CoalitionsSafe Sleep
Healthy People ProjectSmoking and Tobacco
Maternal and Children's Health - special services for pregnant women, mothers, infants and childrenWIC - special supplemental program for women, infants and children
NutritionWisconsin Well Woman Program

Hours and Location

  • We are located in the Washington County Public Agency Center. [Directions] Use the contact information on your right to reach us during normal business hours. 
  • For emergencies outside of regular hours, contact the Health Department (262-335-4462) and follow menu instructions.
  • Fax (General): 262-335-4463
  • Confidential Fax: 262-335-4705 (monitored during regular hours only)
  • TTY Line for the hearing impaired: 262-335-5176 (Available during regular business hours; after hours, you may leave a message.)

Walk-in Services
These services are available during walk-in hours---Monday through Friday 9:00-11:00am and 1:00-3:30pm (Closed Saturday, Sunday and Holidays)--- unless otherwise noted, subject to the availability of nursing staff.
Appointments may be required and are strongly encouraged to reduce waiting time.

• Blood pressure checks: $5.00 per visit
• Car seat checks: THURSDAY only, by appointment
• Head lice checks: No charge
• Immunizations: See clinic schedule
• Pregnancy testing: No charge
• Tuberculosis Skin Testing: $10.00 per test, MONDAY and TUESDAY only


The Washington County Health department is a Level II health department. Chapter 251 of Wisconsin Statutes designates the requirements for three levels of health departments. Level I health departments are responsible for providing the following minimal services:
  • Surveillance, investigation, control and prevention of communicable diseases
  • Other disease and injury prevention
  • Health promotion
  • Human health hazard control
  • Generalized public health nursing services including community health assessment
The Level II designation requires additional health officer requirements and at least 7 additional services or programs beyond those necessary for a Level I that address at least 5 health priorities from the current 10-year state health plan, Healthiest Wisconsin 2010. The Healthiest Wisconsin 2010 priorities include:
  • Access to primary and preventative care
  • Adequate and appropriate nutrition
  • Alcohol and other substance use and addiction
  • Environmental and occupational health hazards
  • Existing, emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases
  • High risk sexual behavior
  • Intentional and unintentional injuries and violence
  • Mental health and mental disorders
  • Overweight, obesity, and lack of physical activity
  • Social and economic factors that influence health
  • Tobacco use and exposure
Level III health departments and health officers meet additional requirements.

The Washington County Board of Health and Health Officer responsibilities are specified in Wisconsin Public Health Statutes 250 through 254, Department of Health Services Administrative Code and Washington County Code 6.04.

Health Department Governance
Director and Health Officer: Linda Walter
Assistant Director: Joni Whitehouse
Governing Liaison Committee: Washington County Board of Health

Information and Reports
Health Department Annual Report