Outbreak Management

Our role is to provide effective support and assistance in the identification, prevention, and management of outbreaks as mandated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

It is the responsibility of the facility to manage the outbreak as mandated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in cooperation with the WECHU. Every facility should create an Outbreak Management Team (OMT) to collaborate with the WECHU.

The OMT works in collaboration with external and internal partners to investigate, manage, and control a suspect or confirmed outbreak. To provide a comprehensive approach to outbreak management, each facility should strive to have a representative from all departments in addition to the IPAC Lead as a member of the OMT.

The OMT is encouraged to meet daily during an outbreak to ensure the following:

1. Line listings are accurate and updated daily.
2. Cases added to the line list(s) meet outbreak definition.
3. Surveillance is being conducted.
4. Outbreak control measures are being implemented and maintained.
5. Provide adequate coverage for staff absences (i.e., designate an alternate person who is knowledgeable of the outbreak process to fax inline listings).
6. Communicate effectively with staff, residents, families, and volunteers.

Prompt reporting of an outbreak results in a rapid response in the initiation of infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures. This can help to decrease the length and severity of the outbreak.

Healthcare facilities and institutions are legally required to report outbreaks. If you suspect an outbreak, fax a completed initial Comprehensive Line List to WECHU at 519-977-5097.

Contact the Infectious Disease Prevention (IDP) Hotline to discuss outbreak management and control measures with a member of the IPAC Hub Team.

Track and monitor client and staff cases on line listing forms. Fax the Comprehensive Line List before 10:00 AM daily; including on holidays and weekends to 519-977-5097.

ONLY add clients and staff to line listing that meet the WECHU-provided case definition.

Notify the WECHU of all line listed clients and staff:

• who are hospitalized

• with chest x-ray confirmed cases of pneumonia

• receiving antivirals 

• receiving antibiotics

• deaths

• Comprehensive Line List

Outbreak Control Measures

Each facility should evaluate and update their outbreak policies and procedures regularly in accordance with evidence-based practices and ensure staff, volunteers, and students are educated on outbreak management and control.

• Respiratory Outbreak Management
• Enteric Outbreak Management 

Lab Testing Guidelines

The Outbreak Number (2268 - YYYY - _______) provided by the WECHU for suspect and confirmed outbreaks is required on all lab requisitions and WECHU Forms.

Complete all lab requisitions in its entirety with your facility address. Two matching client identifiers are required on both the sample and Lab Requisitions.

• Respiratory and Enteric
• PHO General Test Requisition – Enteric – Sample

• Just the Facts: Collecting a Stool Specimen
• Just the Facts: Taking a Nasopharyngeal (NP) Swab
• PHO COVID-19 and Respiratory Viruses PCR Nasopharyngeal Collection Instructions
• NEJM Group Collecting a NP Swab (Video)

You can order specimen containers and supplies through the Public Health Ontario website.

• Requisition for Specimen Containers and Supplies

The WECHU will notify the facility when outbreak meets conditions to be declared over.

A formal Rescind Notification Advisory will be forwarded to your facility once all documents required are received..

Fax in the Final Respiratory Outbreak Report for all respiratory outbreaks.

• Final Respiratory Outbreak Report