Health & Human services

Early Childhood Education and School Toolkits

What is Viral Gastroenteritis?

Reporting Viral Gastroenteritis Outbreaks

What is a Respiratory Illness?

Respiratory illnesses are infections of the respiratory (breathing) system, caused by viruses or bacteria with an incubation period of 3 to 15 days.

This toolkit will focus primarily on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza (flu). The nonpharmaceutical recommendations in this document can also help schools and childcare centers reduce and respond to the occurrence and spread of other respiratory illnesses, including rhinovirus, enterovirus D68, metapneumovirus, as well as other viruses and bacteria that can cause respiratory illness.

Reporting Respiratory Illness Outbreaks

Any incidence of 2 or more individuals at a childcare center experiencing at least 2 flu-like symptoms from a non-COVID-19 respiratory illness such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or influenza (flu) within a 3-day period must immediately be reported to the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department). These individuals do not need to be from the same classroom, age group, or team. For information about reporting COVID-19 outbreaks, please visit our COVID-19 resource page.

Once reported, the Health Department will conduct an investigation, provide guidance on how best to manage the situation, and determine whether it constitutes an outbreak.

An outbreak of respiratory illness is defined as:

• 5 or more linked individuals experiencing at least 2 flu-like symptoms (i.e., fever or signs of fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, or muscle aches) within a 3-day period.
• Individuals are considered linked if they have had contact with one another or been exposed to a common source and are not from the same household.

If an outbreak is identified immediately report to the Long Beach Health Department’s Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control Division at (562) 570-4302.

What is Hand Foot Mouth Disease?

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness that usually affects infants and young children but can also occur in adults. The illness is typically characterized by a fever, sores in the mouth, and a rash on the hands and feet. It is generally not serious, but it is very contagious.

Reporting Hand Foot Mouth Disease outbreaks

Any incidence of 2 or more individuals at a childcare center experiencing symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) (i.e., fever, rashes or sores on the hands, feet, or mouth) within a 3-day period must immediately be reported to the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department). These individuals do not need to be from the same classroom, age group, or team.

An outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is defined as:

• 5 or more linked individuals experiencing HFMD-like symptoms within a 3-day period.
• Individuals are considered linked if they have had contact with one another or been exposed to a common source and are not from the same household.

An outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is defined as:

• 5 or more linked individuals experiencing HFMD-like symptoms within a 3-day period.
• Individuals are considered linked if they have had contact with one another or been exposed to a common source and are not from the same household.