Dudley Health Protection Team
Important update regarding management of diarrhoea and vomiting in schools
24/05/2024
Following a recent large outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting at a school in the borough, please see the below update which provides specific information and guidance on management of such outbreaks of infection causing gastrointestinal symptoms.
Diarrhoea and vomiting can be due to several causes, including bacterial or viral infections, and should always be considered as potentially infectious. People affected by gastrointestinal infections may have:
Some people also have:
Please click on the link below for further information and advice on diarrhoea and vomiting: NHS UK-Diarrhoea and vomiting
Parents and school staff can also be directed to the following Dudley Council webpages for further information: Healthy Dudley-Norovirus and other gastrointestinal infections
Anyone affected with symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting should remain off school until 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped. They should also feel well enough to return to school. This includes staff and pupils and applies even if symptoms are short-lived, and the individual feels fully recovered within the 48-hour period. This is an important measure to prevent the spread of infection to others and reduce the risk of an outbreak situation occurring, which could lead to high levels of staff and pupil absence, causing disruption to pupils’ education.
Encouraging regular good hand hygiene practice is also one of the most effective ways to prevent spread of infection. Using liquid soap, warm water and paper towels is the most effective way to clean hands. Alcohol hand gel is not effective against some organisms that cause gastroenteritis, such as norovirus.
A reminder that children need to remain off Nursery for 48 hours after their last episode of sickness and/or diarrhoea.