Information for Schools (and Child Care Providers)
Pertussis
All suspect and confirmed pertussis cases are reportable to the health department within one (1) working day. Even during an outbreak, complete information on each individual case must be reported.
*High risk conditions for pertussis include infants less than one year of age, pregnant women, persons with chronic lung conditions (including asthma) or immunocompromise, un- and under-vaccinated persons, household contacts of infants or pregnant women in the third trimester, childcare providers, and persons who work with infants or pregnant/postpartum women.
Template Letters for Schools - Pertussis
Alert to Schools - AB354 - New Pertussis Booster Vaccine Requirement
More information on AB354 and the SB614 grace period is available on the Shots for Schools website.
Pertussis Resources
Influenza
Individual cases of influenza or influenza-like illness are not reportable unless the influenza case is hospitalized in the intensive care unit and/or dies.
*List of high risk conditions for influenza is included in "Recommendations for Schools...." below.
Recommendations for Schools with Suspect or Confirmed Case(s) of Influenza or Increases in Influenza-like Illness
To report a cluster, outbreak, or increase in influenza-like illness
Template letter for school parents-English (Word DOC)
Template letter for school parents-Spanish (Word DOC)
Influenza Resources
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Individual cases of chickenpox are not reportable unless the case is hospitalized or dies.
*High risk conditions for chickenpox include immunocompromise and pregnancy.
Recommendations for Schools with Suspect or Confirmed Chickenpox Cases; < 3 cases in 2 months
For schools with ≥3 chickenpox cases in 2 months, call HCA Epidemiology at 714-834-8180 and ask to speak to a PHN.
Template letter for school parents-English (Word DOC)
Template letter for school parents-Spanish (Word DOC)
Template for line list for reporting chickenpox cases (Excel DOC)
Chickenpox (Varicella) Resources
Reporting of increased absenteeism, outbreaks or clusters at K-12 schools
Note: this mechanism of reporting is for increased absenteeism, outbreaks or clusters due to non-specific respiratory, influenza-like illnesses (ILI), or gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses. It is NOT to be used for diseases that are reportable as individual cases (e.g., pertussis, meningitis). These reportable diseases should be reported to Epidemiology as required using the methods and time frames specified on the reportable disease list. To report suspect chickenpox illnesses, see above under Chickenpox. For all other outbreaks or clusters, call Epidemiology at 714-834-8180.
Please call Epidemiology immediately at 714-834-8180 if a large number of students in affected classroom(s) or other exposed group(s) are high risk students. In general, high risk conditions include immunocompromise and pregnancy but may also include other underlying diseases. See specific illnesses (e.g., influenza) for a list of high risk conditions by illness type.*
Please use the following criteria to report respiratory or gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses:
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At least 10% of average daily attendance is absent, OR
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20% of classroom or group ill with similar symptoms, with a minimum of 5 ill.
(Example of increase in absenteeism: Average daily attendance may already be calculated for your school. If not, you can approximate on your own for reporting increases. For school with 1000 kids; if absenteeism is usually 15%, or 150 absent each day, baseline attendance would be 850 (1000 minus 150). An additional 10% of 850, or 85 students, would need to be absent to meet this increase in absenteeism criteria).
To report unusual absenteeism or increase in respiratory or GI illness OR to report clusters of respiratory or GI illness, complete the following:
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Weekly Updates (
PDF Form;
Word Form) to monitor activity until back to baseline for one week
*If unable to complete on-line, please print and fax Intake Form (PDF Form; Word Form) for initial notification (both increased absenteeism or clusters) to 714-834-8196.
Please notify Epidemiology immediately by phone at 714-834-8180 of any hospitalizations or deaths.
Additional Information for Child Care Providers
In case of a public health or bioterrorism emergency, Orange County Public Health would like to be able to reach child care providers with critical information through "Blast Faxes" or email distribution lists.
Please provide your contact information through the following link: www.surveymonkey.com/s/childcare_oc.
This information will only be used to contact you with public health alerts and notifications.
Additional Resources for Child Care Providers about Influenza
