Latest infectious disease guidelines aim to keep childcare ‘bug-free’

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has launched their sixth edition of Staying Healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services in a bid to tackle the transmission of germs amongst young kids. 

Known as the ‘go to’ resource for childcare providers over the past 30 years, Staying Healthy is a best-practice guideline that provides simple and effective ways for education and care services to help limit the spread of infectious diseases. 

Professor Chris Blyth, paediatric infectious diseases physician and Centre Head of the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccine and Infectious Diseases, based at Telethon Kids Institute, chaired the Advisory Committee responsible for developing the sixth edition of Staying Healthy. 

 
“Childcare centres have the unfortunate reputation of being a breeding ground for germs, so these guidelines play a very important role in assisting staff in education and care services to lead by example and practice effective infection prevention and control,” said Professor Blyth.

 ‘To ensure we have provided evidence-based but also implementable guidance, we have brought together the nation’s experts in public health, infectious diseases, and early childhood education.

“Valuable input from Western Australia was provided by Dr Briony Hazelton, paediatric ID physician and microbiologist from Perth Children’s Hospital and Pathwest, and Dr Gabriela Willis, a public health physician from Boorloo Public Health Unit.

“There was no such thing as COVID-19 back in 2013 when the previous version was released, so information on the use of gloves, ventilation, hand hygiene and cleaning practices has been updated, as well the inclusion of additional fact sheets for various symptoms and conditions.

 ‘We hope these guidelines will help reduce the risk of infection in the early education sector and keep children, parents and staff well and happy so kids can fully benefit from the learning and socialisation these services provide,’ said Professor Blyth. 

Staying Healthy was launched by the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Hon Ged Kearney MP, at Annie Dennis Children’s Centre in Melbourne on Friday 9 August 2024. 

The guidelines can be downloaded online by visiting the NHMRC website.

Staying Healthy Advisory Committee: Professor Chris Blyth (Chair), Dr Ruby Biezen, Professor Allen Cheng, Dr Celia Cooper, Professor Mark Ferson, A/Professor Amanda Gwee, Dr Briony Hazelton, Ms Miranda Ihanimo, Ms Rhonda Livingstone, Ms Samantha Page, Ms Leeanne Pena, Emeritus Professor Malcolm Sim AM, Dr Gabriela Willis.