Childcare Guide to Reporting and Communicable Disease

In the Communicable Diseases section, you will find a listing of A-Z communicable diseases. Review the following guidelines to determine:

When it is safe for a child to return to childcare or an early years' program after contracting a communicable disease
Whether you need to report to HPPH

Communicable Diseases

A - I

Communicable Diseases A - I
Disease / Condition	Exclusion	Reportable
Campylobacter	Yes – until diarrhea is gone and child is symptom free for 48 hours	Yes
Chickenpox	See Varicella	Yes
Cold Sores	See Herpes Simplex	No
Common Cold	No – as long as child can participate in usual activities	No
Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)	Most often it is viral and self limiting. If child is well enough to attend and can comply with hand hygiene, then no exclusion is necessary.	No
COVID-19	Yes – until 24 hours after symptoms have improved (48 hours after vomiting and diarrhea) and no fever.
Coxsackie A (Hand, Foot and Mouth)	No – unless too ill to participate in normal activities	No
Cryptosporidium	Yes – until 24 hours with no diarrhea. Emphasize hand washing as parasite is in stool for several weeks after no symptoms.	No
Diarrhea	Yes – until no diarrhea for 48 hours or healthcare provider determines child is not infectious	Report 3 or more children having diarrhea occurring within 48 hours, or any case of bloody diarrhea
Ear Infections	See Otitis Media
Escherichia coli (E. coli 0157:H7)	Yes – until no diarrhea or other symptoms and 2 negative stool cultures have been obtained	Yes
Exanthema Subitum – Sixth Disease	See Roseola Infantum
Fifth Disease (Human Parvovirus)	No – as long as child is well enough to participate	No – exposure may be a concern to non-immune pregnant women
German Measles	See Rubella	Yes
Giardia	Yes – until 24 hours symptom free. Emphasize hand washing.	Yes
Hand, Foot and Mouth	No – unless too ill to participate in normal activities	No
Head Lice	Not a disease. No public health exclusion. Manage as per facility policy.	No
Hepatitis A	Yes – up to 2 weeks. Consult with healthcare provider.	Yes
Hepatitis B	No	Yes – immediately report any bites that cause bleeding. Hepatitis B vaccine and/or immune globulin may be indicated for close contacts under special circumstances.
Herpes Simplex	No – unless extensive mouth lesions and drooling. Should be well enough to participate normally in all activities.	No
Impetigo	Yes – until antibiotic treatment has been taken for one full day.	No
Influenza	Yes – for 5 days after onset of symptoms or until symptom free, whichever is shorter.	Yes – if diagnosed by a healthcare provider.

J - Z

Communicable Diseases J - Z
Disease / Condition	Exclusion	Reportable
Measles	Yes – until at least 4 days after onset of rash.	Yes – measles must be diagnosed by a healthcare provider.
Meningitis	Yes – until fully recovered and feeling well enough to participate.	Yes. In some circumstances, people in close contact may require antibiotics. Infrequently, vaccinations may be required in the schools.
Mumps	Yes – for 5 days from onset of swelling.	Yes – mumps must be diagnosed by a healthcare provider.
Norovirus (Norwalk virus)	Yes – Until 48 hours after last symptom.	Yes. Report outbreaks of 3 or more children with symptoms.
Otitis Media	No – unless child too ill to participate in activities.	No
Pertussis (Whooping cough)	Yes – until 5 days after start of antibiotics or 3 weeks if no treatment given. Contacts may need antibiotics or vaccine.	Yes – if diagnosed by a healthcare provider.
Pinkeye	See Conjunctivitis.	No
Ringworm	Yes – until seen by healthcare provider and treatment started.	No
Roseola Infantum	No – unless too ill to participate.	No
Rotavirus	Yes – until 48 hours after diarrhea and vomiting have stopped.	Yes. Report outbreaks of 3 or more children with symptoms.
Rubella (German Measles)	Yes – for 7 days after onset of rash.	Yes – rubella must be diagnosed by a healthcare provider.
Salmonella	Yes – until diarrhea is gone and no other symptoms for 24 hours.	Yes
Scabies	Yes – until 24 hours from start of first treatment.	No
Shigella	Yes – until 24 hours with no diarrhea or other symptoms and 2 negative stool cultures have been obtained.	Yes
Shingles	Yes – return when well enough to participate in all activities. Should avoid play with sand, water and play dough to prevent secondary infection.	No
Strep Throat/Scarlet Fever	Yes – until 24 hours after treatment is started and child feels well enough to participate.	No
Varicella (Chickenpox)	Yes – return when well enough to participate in all activities. Should avoid play with sand, water and play dough to prevent secondary infection.	Yes. Notify parents of immunocompromised children.
Whooping Cough	See Pertussis	Yes
Yersinia	Yes – until 24 hours with no diarrhea or other symptoms.	Yes

Reporting to HPPH

If you need to report to HPPH, have the following information ready when you call:

Name of child and parent/guardian
Date of birth
Address
Telephone number
Physician’s name and telephone number
Name of hospital (if child is admitted)
Immunization information

Report to the health unit if there is an increase in the number of children ill. This may indicate a potential outbreak. Contact the health unit immediately and review Outbreak Control Measures in Childcare.

Note: While not all illnesses are reportable to Huron Perth Public Health, childcare centres who have questions and/or need assistance with any illness present in their facility are encouraged to reach out to the HPPH Infectious Disease Team. We will provide support as needed. See also the complete listing of Diseases of Public Health Significance [PDF].