Gastrointestinal illnesses in schools

How to manage outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhea.

Gastrointestinal illness can be spread from person to person. Illness can spread when a sick person does not wash their hands after using the toilet. Exposed individuals can become infected if they do not wash their hands before eating or touch their face area.

Viral enteric sicknesses or "stomach flu" such as Norovirus are often responsible for outbreaks of vomiting or diarrhea in schools. The viruses are transmitted easily from person to person or by exposure to food, water, or surfaces contaminated by an infected person.

Instructions for schools

Report unusual increases in absenteeism due to gastrointestinal illness (diarrhea and vomiting) immediately to Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700, Caledon 905-584-2216, or email us.

How to prevent or control outbreaks

Promote frequent hand washing and hand hygiene practices with students and staff.
Reduce the risk of transmission of infections during periods of increased absenteeism by encouraging infection prevention practices.
Isolate staff and students who are sick at school until they can go home.
Encourage students and staff with symptoms to stay home until they are feeling better.
Discourage students from sharing food or drinks such as water bottles for sports teams.
Don’t allow sick students and staff to participate in group activities where the infection may spread to others.
Increase cleaning and disinfection of high touch surfaces with effective sanitizers is recommended.
School officials may choose to communicate with students and caregivers about sickness in the school using key messages about hand washing and staying home when sick.
If applicable, special needs feeding, personal care and diapering procedures should be reviewed with the applicable staff.

Excluding sick students and staff

People with symptoms of Norovirus should stay away from school until they are symptom-free for 48 hours. Norovirus outbreaks require enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures in the school.

Remember to protect the confidentiality of the student by not disclosing a diagnosis to concerned parents or colleagues. If follow up is required Peel Public Health will contact those who are at risk.

Sick food services staff members

Food handlers with vomiting or diarrhea can transmit their illness to others through contact with food and utensils. People who prepare food for others should not handle food or touch clean dishes and utensils until they are symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

Peel Public Health will exclude food handlers who are infected with certain reportable diseases. We will notify the employer of the exclusion and advise the employer when the person is eligible for return to work.