Outbreak Management

Notification of an outbreak

Outbreaks may be notified through a number of pathways, either through the Department of Health, directly from a stakeholder or pathologist (where a relationship exists).

Where necessary, an outbreak management team including Public Health Officers with medical, epidemiological and administrative support may be formed to coordinate outbreak control actions and monitor progress.

 Managing an outbreak

• Contact the relevant setting and undertake detailed risk and environmental assessment – click here
• Outbreaks are managed in accordance with recognised Department of Health processes and outbreak guidelines
  • Acute Respiratory Outbreaks in Aged Care Facilities
  • Outbreak Management by Infectious Disease
• Contact LGA stakeholders to support outbreak management:
  • Loddon catchment
  • Murray catchment
  • Mallee catchment
• Develop testing strategy
• If setting up a surveillance site – click here
• Assess for vaccine or post-exposure prophylaxis support
• If required, ensure adequate community engagement to disseminate outbreak information click here
• Provide education to facility or outbreak site on Infection Prevention Control 
  
• Complete outbreak reporting and documentation requirements through the appropriate database, eg. PHESS