Key messages
- Outbreaks of gastroenteritis in care facilities, children’s services centres, camps and food premises are investigated by the department and local government Environmental Health Officers.
- The Guidelines for the investigation of gastroenteritis for Environmental Health Officers have been produced to assist council officers in the investigation of sporadic cases and outbreaks of gastroenteritis.
- The industry specific guides are designed to assist facilities in notifying and managing outbreaks as well as providing the required outbreak details to the investigating officer and the department.
- Industry specific guides are available for care facilities, (aged care, hospitals, residential care facilities, disability group homes, etc.), children’s services centres, (child care centres, pre-schools, kindergartens, family day care, children’s play centres, etc.) and recreational camps.
The Guidelines for the investigation of gastrointestinal illness (1998), reviewed and amended in 2010, has now been updated and re-drafted to include best practice infection control recommendations and further detailed information for the investigation of sporadic cases of gastroenteritis and food or water borne outbreak investigations.
The three industry specific guides contain much of the information included in the main guide for Environmental Health Officers, but have been written specifically for proprietors, managers, infection control practitioners of care facilities, children’s services centres, camps and related facilities.
If you suspect that a gastrointestinal outbreak is occurring at your facility or premises, you will need to notify the department on telephone 1300 651 160 and refer to the industry specific guide relevant to your business for cleaning and control measures.
Environmental Health Officers
Guidelines for the investigation of gastroenteritis for Environmental Health Officers.
Care facilities
A guide for the management and control of gastroenteritis outbreaks in care facilities.
Children's services centres
A guide for the management and control of gastroenteritis outbreaks in children’s services centres.
Camp facilities
A guide for the management and control of gastroenteritis outbreaks in camp facilities.
Reviewed 08 October 2015
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Consumer information
- Gastroenteritis
- Gastroenteritis in children Gastro is common in young children and spreads easily.
- Gastroenteritis - amoebiasis
- Gastroenteritis - campylobacteriosis Animal faeces can contain Campylobacter, which can be transmitted to people.
- Gastroenteritis - cryptosporidiosis Cryptosporidiosis occurs when the parasites are transmitted from animals to people.
- Gastroenteritis - salmonellosis People can get salmonellosis from animals if they do not wash their hands after handling them.
- Gastroenteritis - giardiasis
- Handwashing - why it's important
- Food poisoning - prevention
- Rotavirus
- Food safety - storage Incorrect storage of food can cause spoilage and food poisoning.
- Food safety - eggs
More information
- Gastro-Info - outbreak coordinator's handbook The Gastro-Info Kit is a resource kit to assist residential aged care facilities in the event of a gastroenteritis outbreak. It is not a set of guidelines to manage an outbreak of gastroenteritis.
- Guidelines for the public health management of gastroenteritis outbreaks due to norovirus.
Contact details
Communicable Disease Section Department of Health GPO Box 4057, Melbourne, VIC 3000