Communicable Disease Information

Topics

Communicable Disease Information • Ebola • Enterovirus 68 • Influenza • Measles • MERS • Zika Virus

Schools play a crucial role in efforts to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. The Orange County Department of Education has assembled the resources below using the most current information from reliable public health and medical sources.

Please note: This page should not be used as a substitute for the timely evaluation of suspected infections; children and staff who may be ill should always be referred for medical evaluation.

Ebola

As the news continues to evolve around Ebola, all schools in Orange County should be reassured first that, to date, there are NO suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola in Orange County. Ebola is not easily spread and even less likely to spread on a school campus.

Students and staff who are returning to school from travel from countries with widespread Ebola virus transmission should not be excluded from school unless directed to do so by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA). Children/staff who are determined by the OCHCA to be at risk of Ebola will be monitored daily by the OCHCA during their period of exclusion. The OCHCA will determine when it is appropriate for these students/staff to return to school.

Flu season is here, and students and staff are much more likely to get the flu. Schools are encouraged to focus on preventing more contagious diseases such as flu, enterovirus, and other illnesses.

Everyone should practice good hygiene such as frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth, and staying home when sick.