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Environmental Health

Illnesses / Outbreaks

Outbreaks

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• Definition of an Outbreak
• Reporting an Outbreak
• Outbreak Management Guidelines
• Admission and Transfer Risk Assessment Criteria
• Forms and Handouts

 

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Definition of an Outbreak

An outbreak is defined as the occurrence of more cases of disease than expected in a given area or among a specific group of people over a particular period of time. It could also be the occurrence of an unusual organism or the occurrence of unusual antibiotic resistance patterns. In an outbreak, it is usually presumed that the cases are related to one another or that they have a common cause.

In school, child care and work settings, an absentee rate of 10% or more on any given day where students/children/staff are exhibiting the same influenza-like-illness symptoms (cough, sore throat, fever, headache, muscle ache, joint ache), or gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, fever) is used as a guide to suspect an infectious outbreak.

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Reporting a Possible Outbreak in Calgary Zone

• Inquiries about general illness – contact Health Link at 403-943-5465. A nurse will assess your symptoms over the phone, and provide immediate health advice. If necessary, the nurse will refer you for further assessment.
• Concerns about ‘food poisoning’ – contact Health Link at 403-943-5465. A nurse will assess your symptoms over the phone and provide immediate health advice. The nurse may recommend further investigation by a Public Health Enterics Consultant in Environmental Health.
• Complaint about a food establishment or care facility – contact Environmental Health at 403-955-6819. A receptionist will take down the relevant information and refer to a Public Health Inspector to contact you.
• Concerns about a group of ill individuals from a private social event, or in a child care facility, senior's home, school, etc. - contact:

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Outbreak Management Guidelines

• Guidelines for Outbreak Prevention, Control and Management in Acute Care and Facility Living Sites June 2010 
• Guidelines for Outbreak Prevention, Control and Management in Supportive Living and Home Living Sites
• Outbreak Management for Community-Based Health Care Workers - Calgary Zone - applicable to urban/rural Public Health Nurses, Home Care and other contracted or private care providers.  Updated October 2009.
• Norovirus and the Hospitality Industry - A Guide for Hotel Operators

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Admission and Transfer Risk Assessment Criteria

• Admission and Transfer Algorithm for Facilities in Outbreaks
• Outbreak Transfer Risk Assessment Criteria - an assessment tool for transferring and receiving units/facilities and Transition Services Personnel to guide decision making.

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Forms and Handouts

• Gastrointestinal Illness

  • Outbreak Signage for Facilities
  • Gastrointestinal Illness (GI) Tracking Form, 2009 - 2010
  • Instructions to Residents in a GI or Norovirus Outbreak
  • Norovirus Infection (information sheet)
  • Managing GI Illness in the Home Setting
  • Prevention and Control of GI Illness in Schools
  • Disinfectant Solutions for Managing Outbreaks - August 2008
  • Disinfectant Products
    • Virox
      • General Virucide Surface Cleaner - Disinfectant Products
      • Mycobacterial Surface Cleaner - Disinfectant Products
      • Technical Bulletin on Contact Times
    • Manorapid Synergy Profile

• Respiratory Illness

  • Outbreak Signage for Facilities
  • Respiratory Illness Tracking Form, 2009 - 2010
  • Managing Respiratory Illness in the Home Setting
  • Common Respiratory Viruses - fact sheet for health care workers
  • Hand washing to prevent influenza - fact sheets for public

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Disclaimer Statement

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Page last updated on: June 17, 2011