Information for Schools and Child Care Providers

INFORMATION FOR SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE PROVIDERS

Considerations when a Child has Symptoms of Illness in Child Care or School

Reporting of Increased Absenteeism, Outbreaks or Clusters at K-12 Schools

When to Report: Please use the following criteria to report respiratory or gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses:

1. At least 10% of average daily attendance is absent, OR
2. 20% of classroom or group ill with similar symptoms, with a minimum of 5 ill.

(Example of increase in absenteeism: Average daily attendance may already be calculated for your school. If not, you can approximate on your own for reporting increases. For school with 1,000 kids; if absenteeism is usually 15%, or 150 absent each day, baseline attendance would be 850 (1,000 minus 150). An additional 10% of 850, or 85 students, would need to be absent to meet this increase in absenteeism criteria).

Please call Communicable Disease Control immediately at 714-834-8180 if a large number of students in affected classroom(s) or other exposed group(s) are high risk students, or any hospitalizations/deaths. In general, high risk conditions include immunocompromise and pregnancy but may also include other underlying diseases.

IMPORTANT Note: This mechanism of reporting is for increased absenteeism, outbreaks or clusters due to non-specific respiratory, influenza-like illnesses (ILI), or gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses. It is NOT to be used for diseases that are reportable as individal cases (e.g., pertussis, meningitis).

To report increased absenteeism outbreaks at K-12 schools, including COVID-19, complete the online intake form for school reporting.

Resource: Reportable Diseases List in Orange County

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

What is Hand, Foot, and Mouth (HFM) disease: HFM is caused by enterovirus, a common virus that most children are exposed to in childhood. HFM infection is characterized by a rash on the hands, feet, and inside of the mouth. Fever and sore throat often accompany the rash. Almost all HFM infections in children are mild, though severe illness is seen occasionally. The most important treatment is assuring that an infected child does not become dehydrated. For more information, please visit www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/. Schools with multiple cases can utilize this letter.

How to Receive CD Health Alerts

In case of a public health emergency, Orange County Public Health would like to be able to reach child care providers with critical information. Please provide your contact information by completing this survey. This information will only be used to contact you with public health alerts and notifications.

Page Last Updated: 10/30/2026