Infectious Diseases Guidelines for Schools

This resource is intended to provide school principals, teachers, directors of child care centres (CCCs) and health care professionals with guidelines on infectious disease prevention and control in schools and CCCs.

Any child who is ill and unable to participate fully in regular activities should be cared for at home.

Ottawa Public Health recommends that individuals who may have been exposed to an infectious disease and have specific health concerns, such as pregnancy and immunosuppression, be assessed by a health care professional.

Proper hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Download the Guidelines for Schools and Child Care Centres on Infectious Diseases and Other Childhood Health Issues [PDF] 

Chickenpox (Varicella) 

Report, by mail or fax, number of symptomatic individuals and ages, using the Chickenpox Reporting Form (PDF). 

Staff, parents and guardians should be notified of chickenpox in a classroom, particularly immunocompromised children and pregnant persons. Schools and Childcare Centres are responsible for notification and can use the Chickenpox Fact Sheet.