Reporting Zoster (Shingles)

On this page:
What to report
How to report
Who is required to report
Submitting clinical materials

What to report

Report the following instances of zoster (shingles) to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) within one working day:

• All confirmed and suspected cases of zoster in people under 18 years of age.
• All cases of severe disease or complications other than post-herpetic neuralgia, such as:
  • Disseminated cutaneous disease.
  • Visceral or central nervous system (CNS) involvement.
  • Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.
  • Myelitis.
  • Skin or soft tissue superinfection.

How to report zoster disease

• Online using the REDCap Chickenpox and Shingles Case Reporting Form.
  This form can be used by Health care providers, schools and child cares to report varicella (chickenpox) and shingles (zoster) to the MDH.
• Yellow Disease Report Card
  Zoster disease may be reported using the MDH "Yellow Card."
• Phone
  Any reportable infectious disease may be reported by phone to 651-201-5414 or 877-676-5414.

Who is required to report

• Unless previously reported, health care practitioners (health care facilities, medical laboratories) are required to report disease to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) under Minnesota state law. Every licensed health care provider who provides care to any patient who has, is suspected of having, or has died from a reportable disease is required to report.
• Schools and child care facilities are also required to report confirmed or suspected cases of zoster disease at their facility.

Other ways to report for schools and child cares

• Fax the Varicella (Chickenpox) and Zoster (Shingles) Case Report Form for Minnesota Schools and Child Cares (PDF) to 1-800-295-9769.
  This form can be used by schools and child cares to report cases of chickenpox or shingles by fax.

Submitting clinical materials to MDH

For zoster disease, submission of clinical materials (isolate, if available) is required upon MDH request.

• Clinical Materials
  Clinical materials must be submitted according to these guidelines.