The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care have set case definition criteria for outbreaks:
Other ARI Outbreaks in LTCH, RH and Other Congregate Living Settings
Suspect Respiratory Outbreak:
- Two cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI) occurring within 48 hours with any common epidemiological link(e.g., unit, floor).
Confirmed Respiratory Outbreak:
- Two cases of ARI occurring within 48 hours with any common epidemiological link (e.g., unit, floor), at least one of which must be laboratory-confirmed,
OR
- Three cases of ARI occurring within 48 hours with any common epidemiological link (e.g., unit, floor).
Client Case Definition:
- Two or more new symptoms for the individual.
Clinical Compatible Signs & Symptoms:
- Fever/abnormal temperature
- Dry cough
- Productive cough
- Headache
- Nasal congestion
- Congestion/sneezing
- Sore Throat/hoarseness
- Muscle aches
- Malaise/fatigue
For more information, refer to Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care document,
Control of Respiratory Infection Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Homes, 2018 or as current.