These measures aim to prevent a recurrence of the infection. For additional information, please visit the Directorate of Health website.

Summary of guidelines:

Children without STEC Diagnosis

Children who have not been diagnosed with STEC, as well as those who have experienced diarrhea or loose stools after October 17 (or develop diarrhea within the next two weeks), should not attend preschool. These children should submit a stool sample for PCR testing.

Asymptomatic Children

Asymptomatic children who have not been diagnosed with STEC may attend preschool. However, strict hygiene practices, including careful handwashing, must be maintained around meal times, toilet use, and diaper changes.

Children and Adults Diagnosed with STEC

Those diagnosed with STEC should not go to school or work until certain conditions are met, including that diarrhoea and other symptoms of infection have passed and the stools are normal for at least 2 days. After 2 days without symptoms, 2 faecal samples must be returned for PCR examination, and both samples must yield a negative result before returning to school/work.

Staff and family members

Staff at the preschool, as well as caregivers at home for children who became ill or were diagnosed with STEC, must submit two stool samples for PCR testing and receive negative results before returning to work, especially for those working in food preparation or healthcare.

Other household members (both children and adults) are not required to submit samples but must be asymptomatic for at least two days before returning to school or work if they were previously symptomatic.

The Chief Epidemiologist.