Type of Outbreak: Definitions

Enteric
An enteric outbreak exists when you have at least two or more cases with vomiting and/or diarrhea occurring within two days (48 hours) in a specific unit, ward, or classroom.

Symptoms of an enteric illness:

• Two episodes of diarrhea
• Two episodes of vomiting
• One episode of each within 24 hours.

Respiratory
A respiratory outbreak exists when you have at least two or more cases of acute respiratory tract illness occurring within 48 hours in a specific unit, ward, or classroom.

Symptoms of a respiratory illness:

• Fever/abnormal body temperature (a temperature less than or equal to 35.5°C OR greater than or equal to 37.5°C)
• Cough
• Runny nose/sneezing
• Sore throat/hoarseness
• Nasal congestion
• Headache
• Chills

What is an outbreak?

An outbreak is usually defined as two or more cases of illness with similar symptoms within 48 hours and in the same facility. For example, you might have an outbreak if three children in your day care start to have similar signs and symptoms of an illness and the signs and symptoms started 35 hours of each other.
Keep in mind that this definition includes children who are in different rooms in the facility and also children that have been kept home because of illness. It’s important to have parents give the reason they have kept a child home (e.g., diarrhea). For example, you might have an outbreak if, a child in room 1 starts to have frequent diarrhea at 10am on Monday. The parent is called and the child is sent home. On Tuesday, a staff member in room 4 calls to tell you that s/he is staying home because of vomiting and diarrhea.

If you are unsure if your facility has an outbreak, call the Health Unit Outbreak Team at 519-258-2146 ext. 1444. Early identification of an outbreak can lower the number of people who get sick.