disease reporting requirements
Under Title 17, California Code of Regulations §2508, schools and childcare providers are required to report:
- Individual cases of Title 17 diseases, such as measles, pertussis;
- Unusual disease occurrences; and
- Outbreaks that meet the criteria below. To report a disease or outbreak, call (831) 454-4114 and ask for a Public Health Nurse.
Outbreak Reporting Requirements for Schools and Childcare
Gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses
- Three (3) or more cases of vomiting or diarrhea in a student or staff member. Diarrhea is 3 or more instances of loose stools in a 24-hour period.
- Symptom onset occurring within 72 hours and within the same group, such as a single classroom, sports team, or after-school group.
- Distribute the vomiting and diarrhea exposure notice to students and staff in English | Spanish
Respiratory illnesses
10 percent or more of the total population of students and staff, facility-wide, are absent with acute respiratory illness1 within a 3-day period
OR,
20 percent or more of students and staff in an epidemiologically-linked group (such as a single classroom, sports team, or after-school group) with acute respiratory illness1, with a minimum of five (5) ill, within a three-day period
Reportable Title 17 diseases
1 or more cases of Title 17 diseases
*Schools and childcare should consult their administration or regional licensing office in the event of an outbreak.
Disease information, exposure notices, and exclusion/return criteria for children and staff
Refer to the table below for information on common childhood diseases as well as reporting requirements, PDF exposure notices (available in English and Spanish), and exclusion and return criteria for children and staff.
Disease information, exposure notices, and exclusion/return criteria for children and staff
Amebiasis
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No, unless individual is a food handler
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
No, unless instructed by Public Health in the case of a food handler
Exclusion
Yes
Return
When can the individual return?
If not a food handler, 48 hours after symptoms resolve
If a food handler, when directed by Public Health
LEARN MORE ABOUT Amebiasis
Chickenpox
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No, unless individual is hospitalized, dead, or is part of an outbreak
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes, and consult with Public Health if there are concerns for exposure to pregnant or immunocompromised people
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes, and non-immune siblings of cases should also be excluded from day 8 after sibling’s rash appeared through day 21
Return
When can the individual return?
For cases: after all blisters have scabs
For non-immune siblings of cases: after 21 days have passed since the sibling’s rash appeared.
Download Exposure Notification
LEARN MORE ABOUT Chicken Pox
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
No.
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes.
Return
When can the individual return?
48 hours after diarrhea resolves
LEARN MORE ABOUT Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
COVID-19
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No, unless there is a respiratory outbreak as defined in Table 1
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes, if there is a respiratory outbreak
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
No, unless they meet sign/symptom-based exclusion criteria
Return
When can the individual return?
After exclusion criteria are resolved.
When returning to normal activities, take added precautions like masking over the next 5 days, per CDC guidance
Download Exposure Notification
LEARN MORE ABOUT Covid-19
Cryptosporidiosis
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
Yes.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes, if recreational water exposure occurred on site – contact Public Health for exposure notice
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes.
Return
When can the individual return?
48 hours after symptoms resolve, and stay out of public swimming pools until 2 weeks after diarrhea resolves
LEARN MORE ABOUT Cryptosporidium
E. Coli Shiga toxin
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
Yes.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes.
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes.
Return
When can the individual return?
If restricted, when directed by Public Health
If not restricted, 48 hours after symptoms resolve
Download Exposure Notification
LEARN MORE ABOUT E. Coli Shiga toxin
Giardia
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes.
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes.
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes, if symptoms include fever or uncontrolled drooling with mouth sores
Return
When can the individual return?
After fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication; children should not return with difficulty or pain while eating or drinking
Download Exposure Notification
LEARN MORE ABOUT Hand, foot, & mouth disease
Head lice
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes.
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes, but they do not need to be sent home immediately; they can’t stay.
Impetigo
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes.
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes, but they do not need to be sent home immediately; they can stay until the end of the day.
Influenza
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No, unless there is a respiratory outbreak as defined in Table 1, or individual was less than 18 years of age and died.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes, if there is a respiratory outbreak.
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
No, unless they meet sign/symptom-based exclusion criteria
Return
When can the individual return?
After exclusion criteria are resolved
When returning to normal activities, take added precautions like masking over the next 5 days, per CDC guidance
Download Exposure Notification
LEARN MORE ABOUT Influenza
Measles
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
Yes.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes.
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes – contact Public Health for exposure notice
Return
When can the individual return?
Per direction of the Public Health Department.
LEARN MORE ABOUT Measles
Meningococcal meningitis
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
Yes.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes – contact Public Health for exposure notice
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes – contact Public Health for exposure notice
Return
When can the individual return?
Per direction of the Public Health Department.
LEARN MORE ABOUT Meningococcal meningitis
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
No.
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
No.
Return
When can the individual return?
N/A
LEARN MORE ABOUT Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Mumps
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
Yes.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes – contact Public Health for exposure notice
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes.
Return
When can the individual return?
Per direction of the Public Health Department
LEARN MORE ABOUT Mumps
Norovirus
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No, unless a food handler or gastrointestinal outbreak as defined in Table 1
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes – use vomiting/diarrhea exposure notice
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes.
Parvovirus B19 (Fifth disease)
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes.
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
No, unless they have a fever
Return
When can the individual return?
After fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
Download Exposure Notification
LEARN MORE ABOUT Parvovirus B19 (Fifth disease)
Pertussis (Whooping cough)
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
Yes.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes – contact Public Health for exposure notice
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes.
Return
When can the individual return?
After 5 days of appropriate antibiotic treatment
LEARN MORE ABOUT Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Pink eye (Conjunctivitis)
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes.
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
No.
Return
When can the individual return?
N/A
Download Exposure Notification
LEARN MORE ABOUT Pink eye (Conjunctivitis)
Pinworm
Respiratory infection (cause unknown)
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No, unless there is a respiratory outbreak as defined in Table 1
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes, if there is an outbreak
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
No, unless they meet sign/symptom-based exclusion criteria
Return
When can the individual return?
After exclusion criteria are resolved.
When returning to normal activities, take added precautions like masking over the next 5 days, per CDC guidance
Download Exposure Notification
LEARN MORE ABOUT Respiratory infection (cause unknown)
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No, unless there is a respiratory outbreak as defined in Table 1, or individual was less than 5 years of age and died
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes.
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
No, unless they meet sign/symptom-based exclusion criteria
Return
When can the individual return?
After exclusion criteria are resolved
When returning to normal activities, take added precautions like masking over the next 5 days, per CDC guidance
Download Exposure Notification
LEARN MORE ABOUT Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Ringworm
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes.
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes, but they do not need to be sent home immediately; they can stay until the end of the day
Roseola (Sixth disease)
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No.
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes.
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
No, unless individual has a fever.
Return
When can the individual return?
After exclusion criteria are resolved.
After fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
Download Exposure Notification
LEARN MORE ABOUT Roseola (Sixth disease)
Rotavirus
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No, unless a food handler
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes – use vomiting/diarrhea exposure notice
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes.
Rubella
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
Yes
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes – contact Public Health for exposure notice
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes, and unvaccinated close contacts of cases should also be excluded
Return
When can the individual return?
For cases: 7 days after rash appeared
For unvaccinated close contacts: once they receive the MMR vaccine or 23 days after last exposure to a case
LEARN MORE ABOUT Rubella
Salmonella
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
Yes
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes
Return
When can the individual return?
If restricted, when directed by PHD
If not restricted, 48 hours after symptoms resolve
Download Exposure Notification
LEARN MORE ABOUT Salmonella
Scabies
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes
Shigella
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
Yes
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes
Shingles
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
No, unless rash cannot be covered
Strep throat/Scarlet fever
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes
Return
When can the individual return?
When 24 hours have passed after starting antibiotics and symptoms are improving
Download Exposure Notification
LEARN MORE ABOUT Strep throat/Scarlet fever
Typhoid/Paratyphoid fever
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
Yes
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes
Return
When can the individual return?
If restricted, when directed by Public Health
If not restricted, 48 hours after
Download Exposure Notification
LEARN MORE ABOUT Typhoid/Paratyphoid fever
Vomiting/diarrhea (cause unknown)
Reporting
Is this disease reportable to Public Health?
No, unless a food handler or gastrointestinal outbreak as defined in Table 1
Notification
Is an exposure notice needed?
Yes, if there is an outbreak
Exclusion
Should the individual be excluded from school/childcare while symptomatic?
Yes
Return
When can the individual return?
If not a food handler and there is not an outbreak, after symptoms resolve
If a food handler or part of an outbreak, 48 hours after symptoms resolve
Download Exposure Notification
LEARN MORE ABOUT Vomiting/diarrhea (cause unknown)
Click the button to view or download all exposure notices in English or Spanish.
Please Note
Diarrhea is when 3 or more episodes of loose stools occur in a 24-hour period OR an occurrence of loose stools that is above normal for the person.
Certain staff (food, health care, or childcare staff) and some children (5 years of age and under OR over 5 and need toileting assistance) may be restricted from work/school/group care by the Public Health Department. This means they can go back only when their stool is tested by the Public Health Department Laboratory confirming no bacteria or toxins are found
Santa Cruz County Communicable Disease Unit
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm
Phone: (831) 454-4114
Fax: (831) 454-5049
After hours/ weekends: (831) 471-1170