Healthy Learners HomePrograms and ServicesHealthy Learners Communicable Disease Resource for Educators, Parents, and Caregivers Introduction This resource links to New Brunswick guidelines and fact sheets on preventing and controlling communicable diseases and infestations for school administrators, teachers, and parents. It does not replace medical consultation or Public Health reporting, which may still be required. 1. New Brunswick Public Health and Education Acts Responsibilities for reporting communicable diseases: NB Public Health Act – Regulation 2009-136 NB Education Act – sections 20(1) and 20(2) 2. Excluding Students from School for Disease Control a. Responsibility of School Principal Students may need to stay home to prevent spread. Refer to the general School Exclusion Guidelines and consult Public Health as needed. The Regional Medical Officer of Health may recommend additional measures such as increased cleaning or limiting gatherings. b. Authority of the Medical Officer of Health In situations with sufficient risk, such as an outbreak, the Regional Medical Officer of Health may take necessary measures under the Public Health Act, including excluding certain pupils from school. 3. Provincial Communicable Disease and Infestation Information Communicable Disease Fact Sheets Lice, Scabies, and Bed Bugs Tick and Lyme Disease If a child has an undiagnosed rash or skin condition, they should be evaluated by a health care provider before returning to school. 4. Methods to Help Decrease the Spread of Germs Hands spread an estimated 80% of common infections like colds, COVID-19, RSV, and influenza. Use good handwashing technique. Hand sanitizer is helpful when hands are not visibly dirty or when soap and water are not available. Be Clean: Wash Your Hands Be Clean: Use Anti-Germ Gel Respiratory Etiquette Poster 5. Routine Precautions (Universal Precautions) Assume blood and body fluids can carry illness. Use gloves, careful cleaning, and proper handwashing when cleaning spills or contact with bodily fluids. 6. Childhood and School Immunization Program in New Brunswick NB Routine Immunization Schedule Policy 706: Proof of Immunization | Immunization Exemption Form School Immunization Program info More on vaccines and immunization 7. Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) Reporting During respiratory season, schools report ILI to Public Health for early detection of potential outbreaks. Timely reporting supports prompt control measures. See: New Brunswick Notifiable Diseases and Events 8. When to Keep a Child Home from School A sick child may struggle to learn and could spread infection. Keep children home if: Fever: 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher. Return when fever has been gone for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine. Diarrhea: Frequent loose or watery stools. Return 48 hours after the last episode. Refer to the School Exclusion Guidelines for additional situations. Teach and reinforce handwashing and cough or sneeze into a tissue or elbow. Help children stay well with routine immunizations, flu shots, a balanced diet, outdoor activity, and good sleep.