Gastroenteritis and acute respiratory illness outbreaks in early education
This page has information for early childhood education and care service (ECEC) managers to help manage gastroenteritis and acute illness outbreaks in their centres.
Gastroenteritis, or gastro, is a common stomach and bowel infection that causes vomiting and/or diarrhoea. It is usually a mild illness caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis is the most common cause of gastro outbreaks in early childhood education and care settings.
Acute respiratory illness includes common infections which cause symptoms affecting the respiratory tract. Many viruses cause acute respiratory illness in young children.
Common symptoms
Common symptoms of acute respiratory infections can include:
- coughing or sneezing
- a sore throat
- a blocked or runny nose
- fever
- facial or ear pain
- red and/or watery eyes
- muscle or body aches
- tiredness
- difficulty breathing
- feeling generally unwell, and
- vomiting and/or diarrhoea.
Find out more about acute respiratory infections in children.
Common respiratory viruses
Some common respiratory viruses include:
- rhinovirus
- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- influenza
- parainfluenza
- COVID-19.
Preventing spread of infections
Discourage people from attending the ECEC centres if they are unwell with gastroenteritis or acute respiratory illness.
Siblings who are unwell should not come to the centre during drop off or pick up.
Who should stay away
Children, educators, or other staff with gastroenteritis symptoms should not come to the centre until 48 hours has passed since their last loose bowel motion or vomit.
Anyone with acute respiratory symptoms should stay away until they are well.
It is important that this information is clearly communicated with families, carers, and staff.
Recording details of unwell people
You should use either:
- your own illness register
- or the gastroenteritis line list for early childhood education and care services.
Reporting a gastro outbreak
Gastro
Under the Public Health Act 1997, you must report to ACT Health if you have 2 or more cases of gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and/or vomiting) among children or staff in 24 hours.
You are not required to notify of any outbreaks of respiratory illness in your childcare service.
How to report
Report a gastro outbreak online through the early childhood education and care service outbreak notification form.
Infection prevention and control
Infection prevention and control practices can reduce the spread of viruses year round.
Infection prevention and control practices include:
- effective hand hygiene
- exclusion of unwell children and staff
- use of personal protective equipment (such as a plastic apron over staff clothing during nappy changes)
- increased environmental cleaning
Make sure appropriate infection prevention and control practices are adhered to by parents, carers and staff.
For advice about infection prevention and control, call the Communicable Disease Control Information Line on 02 5124 9213 and ask to speak to the Infection Prevention and Control team.
More information
For more information on minimising the spread of disease, go to National Health and Medical Research Council – Staying healthy: Preventing infection diseases in early childhood education and care services.
Go to the ACT Education Directorate for more information about preventing and managing COVID-19 in early childhood education and care services and ACT public schools.
Posters for childcare centres
Download the STOP - gastro outbreak sign to display in your childcare centre.