Infectious Diseases in Vermont: Interactive Data Explorer (NEW)

Healthcare providers, labs, and other facilities are required to report certain infectious diseases and lab test results to the Vermont Department of Health. We use this information to monitor disease activity, identify outbreaks, track trends over time, and guide public health action.

Use the explorer tabs to review disease trends, demographic information, and geographic data. Instructions for using the explorer are available on the Home Page tab and through the Help button in the upper-right corner.

 

The data explorer is updated annually. 

Reportable data rules can change. Download the Excel file to see which diseases were reportable in certain years.

Additional Information and FAQs

What is an infectious disease?

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. They can spread through person-to-person contact, contaminated food or water, insect or animal bites, or exposure to infected animals or the environment.

The most commonly reported infectious diseases in Vermont vary from year to year. In 2024, the five most frequently reported diseases were Lyme disease, chlamydia, anaplasmosis, hepatitis C, and campylobacteriosis.

Learn more about infectious diseases and chronic diseases in Vermont.

Why are some diseases reportable?

Not all infectious diseases are required to be reported to public health.

Diseases are typically designated as reportable because they can cause serious illness, spread quickly, lead to outbreaks, or require public health action to protect the community.

Information about reportable diseases helps the Vermont Department of Health:

  • Detect and investigate outbreaks.
  • Monitor disease trends over time.
  • Identify populations at increased risk.
  • Guide disease prevention and response efforts.
  • Meet state and federal reporting requirements.
Understanding the data

The data in this explorer come from reports submitted to the Vermont Department of Health by healthcare providers, laboratories, and other reporting entities. Use the data to help understand trends in infectious diseases in Vermont. As you explore the data, keep in mind the following limitations:

  • Data may change over time as investigations are completed, reports are updated, and additional information becomes available. 

  • Data may differ from information published by other sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), because of differences in how the data are calculated and because records may be updated after they are initially shared.

  • Reported cases don't represent all illnesses occurring in Vermont. Some people may not seek medical care, receive testing, or receive a diagnosis. As a result, the data may underestimate the true number of infections in the community.

  • To protect patient privacy when the number of cases is very small, there may be too few cases to display.

National information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
 

Looking for data on other health topics? Check out our A-Z Data Library.

Questions?

Contact us

E-mail the Infectious Disease Data Systems team at: [email protected]

Topics:
Infectious Diseases Resources for Health Professionals
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