Outbreak Information:
Last Updated – January 6, 2025
If your facility is experiencing an outbreak, or you suspect an outbreak at your facility, you must report it to Peterborough Public Health. To report your outbreak use the online PPH Respiratory and Enteric Outbreak Reporting Form, or call us at 705-743-1000, ext. 511.
If you are reporting an outbreak outside of ‘regular business hours‘, please contact us at 705-760-8127.
Please refer to the Initial Control Measures document while you wait for a Public Health staff member to get back to you.
When to notify Peterborough Public Health: Respiratory Outbreak
A CONFIRMED RESPIRATORY INFECTION OUTBREAK IN A LONG-TERM CARE HOME/RETIREMENT RESIDENCE OR CONGREGATE LIVING SETTING IS DEFINED AS:
- Two or more patient/resident cases of test-confirmed acute respiratory infections (ARI) with symptom onset within 48 hours and an epidemiological link (e.g. same unit/floor/service area) suggestive of transmission within the setting.
or
- Three or more patient/resident cases of ARI with symptom onset within 48 hours and an epidemiological link suggestive of transmission within the setting AND testing is not available or all negative.
- Two patient/resident cases of ARI with symptom onset within 48 hours with an epidemiological link (e.g. same unit/floor/service area) suggestive of transmission in the setting AND testing is not available or all negative.
If your facility is experiencing an outbreak, or you suspect an outbreak at your facility, you must report it to Peterborough Public Health. To report your outbreak use the online PPH Respiratory and Enteric Outbreak Reporting Form, or call us at 705-743-1000, ext. 511.
When to notify Peterborough Public Health: Gastroenteritis Outbreak
A CONFIRMED GASTROENTERITIS INFECTION OUTBREAK IN A LONG-TERM CARE HOME IS DEFINED AS:
- Two or more episodes of diarrhea or watery stool (takes the form of its container) within a 24 hour period, or two or more episodes of vomiting within a 24 hours period
or
- One episode of diarrhea or watery stool (takes the form of its container) and one episode of vomiting within a 24 hour period
or
- Laboratory confirmation of a known gastrointestinal pathogen and at least one symptom compatible with gastrointestinal infection (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain or tenderness)
If your facility is experiencing an outbreak, or you suspect an outbreak at your facility, you must report it to Peterborough Public Health. To report your outbreak use the online PPH Respiratory and Enteric Outbreak Reporting Form, or call us at 705-743-1000, ext. 511.
Lab Testing Information
Specimen kits (respiratory and enteric) can be picked up and dropped off at our Provincial Public Health Laboratory located at 99 Hospital Drive.
For respiratory outbreaks, all symptomatic residents should be tested for COVID-19. These tests are nasopharyngeal swabs. Additionally, the first 4 specimens collected will be tested for other common respiratory illnesses.
For enteric outbreaks, stool specimens are collected and sent to the lab for testing. There is a maximum of 5 specimens that can be submitted to the lab for testing.
Test results will be communicated when they are available.
Information for all test kits and ordering instructions can be found here: Test Kits and Ordering Instructions
Laboratory requisitions can be found here: Respiratory and COVID-19 & General Testing Requisition
Influenza
The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) provides influenza vaccine through the Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP). Information about this season’s influenza vaccine products and eligibility, and additional supporting information can be found at Universal Influenza Immunization Program. Information about local influenza vaccine rollout including how to order influenza vaccine can be found at Peterborough Public Health.
Influenza/Vaccination Forms
- Resident, Staff and Volunteer Vaccination List Form
- Vaccine Order Forms
- Checklist for LTCFs to Use to Prepare for the Influenza Season
- Report of an Adverse Event Following Immunization:
- Report all AEFIs to Peterborough Public Health by faxing completed form to 705-743-2897.
- AEFI reporting form (NOTE: If using Google Chrome you will need to download this PDF in order to view not in browser)
Guidelines and Standards
- Recommendations for Outbreak Prevention and Control in Institutions and Congregate Living Settings, 2024
- Information About Anaphylaxis – Canadian Immunization Guide
For more information about the Universal Influenza Immunization program contact Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000, ext.242.
Resources and Education
- Public Health Ontario: Additional Precautions Signage and Lanyard Cards
- Public Health Ontario: Infection Control & Prevention
- Public Health Ontario: IPAC Online Learning
- MOHLTC Vaccine Storage & Handling Guideline
- Public Health Ontario: Routine Practices and Additional Precautions Document
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Solve an Outbreak
Forms
- Risk Assessment for Returning Patient
- TB Screening Recommendations
- Respiratory Outbreak Control Measures
- Enteric Outbreak Control Measures
Outbreak Signage