Influenza outbreaks in residential care outbreaks
Influenza outbreaks in residential care outbreaks
A range of respiratory viruses, including the influenza virus circulate in the WA community and can cause outbreaks in residential care facilities (RCF). Hence, all RCFs should take steps designed to prevent outbreaks, such as promoting and facilitating annual influenza vaccination of both staff and residents. Staff should also have a thorough understanding of the influenza outbreak guidelines (see link below), that describe how to prevent and manage influenza outbreaks.
- Report influenza-like illness (ILI) clusters or outbreaks (3 or more cases of ILI in residents or staff within 72 hours) to your local public health unit (Healthy WA).
- RCF staff with ILI should be excluded from work until they are asymptomatic.
Influenza-like illness (ILI) for residential care facilities is defined as:
Sudden onset of symptoms,
AND at least one of the following three respiratory symptoms:
- cough (new or worsening)
- sore throat
- shortness of breath.
AND at least one of the following four systemic symptoms:
- fever or feverishness
- malaise
- headache
- myalgia.
Immunisation
- All staff members and residents should be vaccinated with the influenza vaccine each year to protect against the circulating seasonal strains of influenza (see influenza vaccine information).
- RCFs should maintain an up-to-date record of the influenza vaccination status of all staff and residents to enable a rapid risk assessment should an influenza outbreak occur.
Guidelines
Produced by
Public Health