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Department of Health Services

Public Health Disease Control

Outbreak Guidance

Illustration of germs

Most cases of illness are isolated to one student, but occasionally an outbreak of a particular disease can occur in a school. The law requires school personnel to report all suspected or confirmed outbreaks to the local public health agency. Guidance and resources for schools and childcare centers including outbreak definitions, when outbreaks are considered over, and action steps required and recommended by public health for the most common outbreaks seen in schools (like Hand Foot Mouth Disease and Influenza) can been seen below. If your school meets the outbreak definition, please report this to our department within 24 hours by following the “Steps” listed under each type of outbreak. Please note schools may implement more restrictive policies, but not less restrictive policies, than the Public Health Department's recommendations.

** If you prefer to report the information by phone, please call our department at 707-565-4568.**

Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease (HFMD)


Norovirus/Gastrointestinal Illness


Influenza, Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and other Non-Covid-Respiratory Illesses


Whooping Cough/Pertussis


Chickenpox (Varicella)


Measles


Meningococcal