Guidelines for the investigation of gastroenteritis

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.