Department of Health

Guidelines for the investigation of gastroenteritis

On this page

The Guidelines for the investigation of gastroenteritis for Environmental Health Officers (2018) will be undergoing review to reflect the updated roles and responsibilities of Department of Health teams, local councils and local public health units (LPHUs) in line with the integration of management of enteric conditions into LPHUs.

Key messages

  • Outbreaks of gastroenteritis in care facilities, children’s services centres, camps and food premises are investigated by the department and local government Environmental Health Officers.
  • The Guidelines for the investigation of gastroenteritis for Environmental Health Officers have been produced to assist council officers in the investigation of sporadic cases and outbreaks of gastroenteritis.
  • The industry specific guides are designed to assist facilities in notifying and managing outbreaks as well as providing the required outbreak details to the investigating officer and the department.
  • Industry specific guides are available for care facilities, (aged care, hospitals, residential care facilities, disability group homes, etc.), children’s services centres, (child care centres, pre-schools, kindergartens, family day care, children’s play centres, etc.) and recreational camps.

The Guidelines for the investigation of gastrointestinal illness (1998), reviewed and amended in 2010, has now been updated and re-drafted to include best practice infection control recommendations and further detailed information for the investigation of sporadic cases of gastroenteritis and food or water borne outbreak investigations.

The three industry specific guides contain much of the information included in the main guide for Environmental Health Officers, but have been written specifically for proprietors, managers, infection control practitioners of care facilities, children’s services centres, camps and related facilities.

If you suspect that a gastrointestinal outbreak is occurring at your facility or premises, you will need to notify the department on telephone 1300 651 160 and refer to the industry specific guide relevant to your business for cleaning and control measures.

Environmental Health Officers

Guidelines for the investigation of gastroenteritis for Environmental Health Officers.

Care facilities

A guide for the management and control of gastroenteritis outbreaks in care facilities.

Children's services centres

A guide for the management and control of gastroenteritis outbreaks in children’s services centres.

Camp facilities

A guide for the management and control of gastroenteritis outbreaks in camp facilities.

Reviewed 21 September 2023

Health.vic

In this topic

On this site

Consumer information

More information

Contact details

Do not email patient notifications.

Communicable Disease Section Department of Health GPO Box 4057, Melbourne, VIC 3000

50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Phone 1300 651 160
Fax 1300 651 170
infectious.diseases@dhhs.vic.gov.au
Notification procedures
Was this page helpful?