Outbreak Control Measures in Childcare
When several children and/or staff become ill on the same day:
- Notify the health unit IMMEDIATELY.
- Health unit staff will provide information to assist in bringing outbreaks under control and in communicating with parents if necessary. You will be given an outbreak number by the health unit.
- Health unit staff will provide you with a line list and outbreak control measures to review together.
Identifying an outbreak
Surveillance |
Daily surveillance of children and daily recording of any enteric and/or respiratory symptoms will give a clear picture of the baseline incidence in the child care centre. An outbreak may be occurring when there are clusters of cases, characterized by common symptoms, above the normal or baseline levels for the centre in a short period of time. Early reporting of the suspect outbreak, along with implementation of infection control measures, will decrease the number of children and staff who could be affected and will also reduce the duration of the outbreak. Be aware of any children in the child care centre with cancer, including leukemia or other immune deficiency illnesses. These children may need special attention due to increased risk of illness. |
Signs of Enteric Illness |
Signs and symptoms of enteric illnesses include:
It is important to determine whether the diarrhea may be a reaction to medication, change in diet or other reasons that may not be linked to an enteric illness. |
Signs of Respiratory Illness |
A respiratory infection usually starts with:
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Suspecting and reporting an outbreak
Suspecting an Outbreak |
A suspect outbreak exists when there is an increase in the baseline incidence indicating there are a higher than expected number of children or staff who are experiencing similar symptoms of illness. To determine whether a suspect outbreak exists:
Contact the health unit (1.888.221.2133) to discuss unusual clustering of symptoms. |
Reporting an Outbreak |
When several children and/or staff become ill on the same day, notify the health unit IMMEDIATELY. Health unit staff will provide information to assist in bringing outbreaks under control and in communicating with parents if necessary. You will be provided a line list, outbreak number, and outbreak control measures. For quick reference, a copy of the Diseases of Public Health Significance for Schools and Childcare [PDF] is available. |
Role of childcare centre and HPPH in outbreak control
HPPH role in outbreak control |
The health unit has three major roles related to the investigation of an enteric or respiratory outbreak in child care centres. Legislated RoleIn order to protect the public’s health, the health unit’s Medical Officer of Health and public health staff have the authority to require:
Consulting RoleThe health unit will provide advice to the child care centres regarding:
Co-ordinating RoleThe health unit will help to co-ordinate the necessary steps to bring the outbreak under control by:
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Childcare centre's role in outbreak control |
All child care centres are legally responsible for reporting enteric and/or respiratory outbreaks to the local public health unit. Once the outbreak has been reported, the centre is required to:
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