Outbreak Management in Institutions, Childcare, and other Congregate Settings
Outbreak Management in Institutions, Childcare, and other Congregate Settings
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Early identification of outbreaks
Conduct surveillance
Entry Screening for Symptoms and exposures in staff, visitors, and returning residents
Daily Resident/ Children and/ Staff screening for symptoms
Respiratory symptoms: runny nose, sneezing, stuffy nose, cough, congestion, fever, sore throat or hoarseness or difficulty swallowing, chills, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, malaise, muscle pain or headache
Gastrointestinal symptoms: at least two unexpected episodes of diarrhea (loose/ watery bowl movements) and/or vomiting within 24 hours.
Report the outbreak
Contact Halton Region Public Health immediately if you suspect or have confirmation of an outbreak.
Respiratory: Two patient/resident cases of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) with symptom onset within 48 hours with an epidemiological link (for example, same unit/floor/service area) suggestive of transmission in the setting and testing is not available or all negative.
Gastrointestinal: Symptoms of gastrointestinal illness occurring in two or more residents/ children/ staff within 48 hours, with a common epidemiological link (such as same unit or floor).
Timely reporting of outbreaks is essential for their control and to prevent further spread of infectious diseases.
During regular business hours, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., call (905) 825-6000 for both respiratory or enteric outbreaks; OR email PublicHealthOM@halton.ca for respiratory outbreaks.
Outside of regular business hours, contact the Halton Region Public Health by calling 311.
Outbreak management
An outbreak investigator from public health will follow-up to conduct an outbreak investigation. The outbreak investigator will assess the outbreak to see if criteria has been met. The outbreak investigator will review public health recommendations and will provide IPAC Measures to implement to reduce further transmission of illness.
Start line lists for the residents and staff for each affected home area (line lists are found in the (outbreak resources below).
Submit outbreak line lists daily to Halton Public Health by 10 a.m.
Consult with Halton Region Public Health before collecting outbreak specimens for laboratory testing. The Outbreak Investigator will assess the plan for collection and transportation of specimens. The Outbreak investigator will interpret laboratory reports.
Maintain daily contact with Public Health to review the outbreak status (new cases, hospitalizations, deaths, activity in new home areas). The Outbreak Investigator will review outbreak control measures and declare the outbreak over when appropriate.
