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Summer Infectious Diseases

December 2, 2025

JoLynn P. Montgomery, PhD, MPH

Elizabeth Edwards, MPH

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Public Health Pillars

Plan

Respond

Evaluate

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Summer Concerns

Measles

Respiratory Illnesses

Gastrointestinal Illnesses

Bites

Bats

Ticks

Mosquitoes

Measles Cases in the US, 2026 (as of May 7, 2026)

Data Source: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html

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Summer Concerns:

General Illness Indicators

https://healthresponse.umich.edu/

Data Dashboard

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Summer Concerns - Wastewater Indicators

Updated May 8, 2026

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Summer Concerns - Bites

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Communicable Disease Guidance for Camps

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When should a child be kept home or sent home?

Severely ill appearance

Fever of 101 or greater

Vomiting/diarrhea

(rule of 2)

Rash

Weeping sores on an exposed area that cannot be covered

Injury serious enough to warrant medical attention

Certain communicable diseases

Child that is not him/herself, persistent crying, difficulty breathing
Child should not return until 24 hours of no fever without the use of fever-reducing medication
Diarrhea - if child has 2 loose bowel movements, even if there are no other signs of illness. Child should have no loose stools for 24 hours prior to returning. Exception: if healthcare provider has determined that it is not infectious.

Vomiting - if child has vomited 2 or more times. Child should have no vomiting 24 hours prior to returning. Exception: if a healthcare provider has determine that it is not infectious

Any rash illness accompanied by a fever should be checked by a healthcare provider. Child should not return until the rash subsides or until a healthcare provider has determined that it is not infectious. Allergic rash or mild diaper rash that is already known to the parents are not reasons to send/keep a child home.
Weeping sores on an exposed area that cannot be covered with waterproof dressing
If an injury is serious enough to warrant medical attention, a parent should be contacted to take the child home.
Children/staff diagnosed with certain communicable diseases may have to be excluded for a certain period of time

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Other conditions where children should stay home

Children with the following conditions should remain home until successfully treated:

Impetigo (bacterial skin infection, often called “school sores”, often on nose, mouth, arms, or legs)

Lice (parasitic insects that live on the scalp, spreads very easily)

Ringworm (rash caused by a fungal infection, red, itchy, circular, or ring shaped rash that may be scaly)

Scabies (itchy skin rash caused by a tiny burrowing mite)

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In the event of illness, camp staff should:

Isolate children if they have any of the above symptoms until parent/guardian arrives.

Wash hands well to prevent the spread of diseases to other children and to staff

→ Use a paper towel to turn off faucets and open bathroom doors and then dispose of the paper towels in the wastebasket.

Encourage parents to keep children home if they are ill

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Expectations for schools/camps:

Exclude children and staff with communicable diseases in accordance with MDHHS guidance
Report cases to the Washtenaw County Health Department

Any individual reportable conditions
NOT required for COVID-19, influenza, or norovirus unless diagnosed by a school administered antigen test
All outbreaks of suspected or confirmed communicable disease

Anytime 20% or more of a particular group is sick within a 7 day period

Track illnesses

Keep a list of absences for all illnesses
Name, illness if known, symptom onset date, reporter, notes
Template available

Have a policy to manage communicable disease outbreaks
Have clear guidance on when families and staff will be notified about cases

WCHD is available to help with decision making!

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Planning for UM camp illness events

For your awareness:

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and/or the Washtenaw County Health Department would lead any outbreak response efforts

Unvaccinated individuals may be excluded during an outbreak

Housing does not have quarantine/isolation space for campers

Have a plan for:

Parent/guardian retrieval

Consider requesting plans from parent/guardian before camp begins

Collecting vaccination records

Requiring records ≠ Requiring vaccinations/immunity

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Resources and Contact Information

Applied Public Health

HealthResponse.umich.edu

jpmont@umich.edu or edwardel@med.umich.edu

Environment, Health & Safety - for safety/environmental concerns

(734) 647-1143 | 7:00 am – 4:00 pm

After hours emergency contact through UM Police Department (734) 763-1131 or dial 911

University Health and Counseling

Appointments: (734) 764-8320

Washtenaw County Health Department - (734) 544-6700

Fight the Bite Information: https://www.washtenaw.org/2458/Fight-the-Bite

When Should a Child Be Kept Home or Sent Home from School for Illness (PDF)

Communicable Disease Guidance for Schools and Childcares (PDF)