Outbreaks

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) works in collaboration with long-term care, retirement homes, child care centres, schools and other community partners to prevent, identify, report and manage outbreaks. Under the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA), all outbreaks of respiratory and/or gastroenteritis illness in residents, children or staff in such facilities must be reported to OPH immediately. This includes, but is not limited to, outbreaks caused by common seasonal viruses such as influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and norovirus, as well as when a causative agent has not been identified.

Implementing outbreak control measures early to prevent further transmission of the infection to others is essential, thereby reducing the length and impact of an outbreak. These outbreak control measures are evidence-based and/or best practices, in accordance with guidance documents from the Ontario Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

To report an outbreak during regular business hours, or for more information, call 613-580-2424 ext. 26325, or in the evening, on weekends or holidays, call 3-1-1 and ask to speak with the Public Health Inspector on-call.