Outbreak prepreadness in schools and ECEs

Public health topics Outbreak prepreadness in schools and ECEs

Outbreak prepreadness in schools and ECEs

Preparing your school and ECE for infectious disease outbreaks helps you to:

Protect tamariki, students and staff
Reduce the risk of diseases spreading
Minimise disruption to learning and attendance
Ensure staff know what to do if a child, student or colleague is unwell

On this page you'll find guidance and videos on how to prepare for an outbreak, information for whānau, and lessons from the 2023 measles outbreak at Albany Senior High School.

For detailed guidance download the NPHS Northern Region Infectious disease outbreak guidance for schools and ECEs (PDF).

Preparing for measles and whooping cough outbreaks in schools and ECEs

Dr Subha Rajanaidu and Dr Bryn Thompson from the National Public Health Service - Northern Region explore how schools and ECEs can prepare for whooping cough and measles outbreaks, and how to keep staff, tamariki and students safe.

Measles and whooping cough - information for whānau

Dr Subha Rajanaidu & Dr Bryn Thompson from the National Public Health Service - Northern Region explain the risks of measles and whooping cough, and how whānau can protect themselves and tamariki against these infectious diseases.

Responding to measles at Albany Senior High School

In May 2023 Albany Senior High School was notified by public health that a measles exposure had occurred on their premises and it needed to take urgent action to keep students and staff safe.

In response the school swiftly shifted to remote learning, supported school community testing and vaccination drives, and maintained open communication with their school community.

Albany Senior High's experience highlighted the importance of:

being prepared for emergencies
keeping up-to-date immunisation records
having a strong digital strategy and remote learning plan
maintaining transparent dialogue with parents and students
having a clear crisis communication strategy.

Develop an outbreak preparedness plan, with a nominated key point of contact for agencies to work with in the event of an outbreak
ECEs and Primary schools must maintain up to date immunisation registers for all enrolled children/students, and should have plans on how to access these in the event of an outbreak
Communicate to staff and parents that without up-to-date immunisation records staff and students may be required to stay at home in the event of a measles case
Advise and assure your community about how you will manage their data and how it will be kept safe and secure in the event of an outbreak
If teaching/school staff do not wish to share their vaccination records, ask them to consider their own status proactively and be ready to advise you of their status in the event of an outbreak
Consider your remote learning strategy should you be unable to remain open due to workforce shortages to minimise disruption to learning

If you suspect a pupil has an infectious disease call public health for advice. You can contact the National Public Health Service Northern Region on 09 623 4600, 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

If a child requires health advice contact their doctor, or ring Healthline on 0800 611 116. In an emergency always dial 111.

Last updated 31.1.2025

OUTBREAK PREPAREDNESS