Gastroenteritis and acute respiratory illness outbreaks in aged care
Acute respiratory illness (ARI) and viral gastroenteritis (gastro) are common illnesses. People living in aged care settings can be at more risk to these infections.
ARI or gastro infections in aged care residents may lead to decline, hospitalisation or death.
It can be hard to control outbreaks in aged care settings because of staff, resident and visitor interaction. People should not visit an aged care facility if they are sick. This includes family and friends of residents.
Read more about influenza and viral gastroenteritis.
When and how to report outbreaks
Under the Public Health Act 1997 aged care facilities must:
- report outbreaks of ARI and gastroenteritis to ACT Health
- put outbreak precautions in place.
Outbreaks of acute respiratory illness
Aged care facilities must report if they have 2 or more residents and/or staff with ARI in a 72-hour period.
This includes:
- COVID-19
- influenza
- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- other pathogens.
Read more about managing ARI outbreaks on the ACT COVID-19 website.
Outbreaks of gastroenteritis
Aged care facilities must report if they have 2 or more residents and/or staff with gastroenteritis in a 24-hour period.
Read the gastroenteritis checklist for aged care facilities [DOC 66 KB].
How to report
Report an outbreak in an aged care facility in the ACT Health Outbreak Hub.
Keep outbreak line list updated
Record the details of all people with symptoms using the line list available from the ACT Health Outbreak Hub. The line list is specific to an outbreak. You should update the line list each day.
Testing during an outbreak
Test early in an outbreak. Consult with a general practitioner or registered nurse about testing unwell residents.
Testing for acute respiratory illness
Test residents with ARI symptoms for COVID-19 and influenza.
Use a RAT to test for COVID-19. If the RAT is negative ask for PCR testing for COVID-19 and influenza.
The treating clinician can ask for extra respiratory pathogen testing.
Testing for gastroenteritis
If possible, collect stool samples from 4-5 residents and arrange testing for:
- viral studies and
- microscopy, culture and sensitivity (MCS).
Stopping the spread of infection
Put infection prevention and control practices in place.
- Use effective hand and respiratory hygiene.
- Isolate residents who are sick.
- Keep sick staff at home.
- Use personal protective equipment.
- Increase the frequency of cleaning.
- Manage the movements of residents, staff, and visitors.
People should stay up to date with their vaccinations. They protect against severe illness and having to go to hospital.
For advice about infection prevention and control call ACT Health on 02 5124 9213.
Posters for aged care facilities
You can display the following posters in aged care settings.
- How to hand wash poster [PDF 460 KB]
- How to hand rub poster [PDF 426 KB]
- Cough and sneeze etiquette poster [PDF 210 KB]
- STOP - gastro outbreak sign [PDF 212 KB]
- Flu – it can stop with you: You have a higher risk of catching the flu than adults in non-healthcare settings [PDF 632 KB]
- Flu – it can stop with you: Flu can be serious, even in healthy people [PDF 640 KB]
- Flu – it can stop with you: Flu vaccination is your best protection [PDF 600 KB]
- Flu – it can stop with you: You can spread flu to your patients and the people you care for [PDF 630 KB]
- Flu – it can stop with you: Tracking flu vaccination in our staff [PDF 602 KB].
Call 02 5124 9800 to get printed copies of brochures and posters.
Finding out more
Go to the Australian Government Health and Aged Care website for:
- National guidelines for the prevention, control and public health management of outbreaks of acute respiratory infection in residential care
- Prevent and prepare for COVID-19 in residential aged care
- Gastroenteritis kit for aged care
- Influenza kit for aged care
Read about flu vaccinations for aged care workers.