Some infections have severe implications for school/classroom and broader community or can cause serious illness, requiring mandatory and timely reporting to Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) under the Health Protection and Promotion Act R.S.O. 1990, c.H.7. View the full list of DoPHS or the PDF below. It is important to note that some DoPHS require immediate reporting to WDGPH and the rest should be reported within one business day.
To report a DoPHS from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., call 1-800-265-7293, ext. 4752. To speak with WDGPH after hours and on holidays, call 1-877-884-8653. Documents can be confidentially faxed to 1-855-934-5463 (1-855-WDGLINE).
When reporting a DoPHS, please provide as much of the following information as possible:
- First and last name of child
- Student’s date of birth
- Student’s gender
- Student’s contact number and address
- Parent(s) or guardian(s) name(s) and contact information (if different from the student’s)
- The DoPHS of concern
- The name of the physician or location where the DoPHS was diagnosed (emergency department)
- Symptoms and date of onset
- Name, contact number, and address of the school
- First and last name of staff member reporting DoPHS
Schools should monitor absenteeism rates closely. If the number of ill students or staff with similar symptoms exceeds the usual number (baseline) of ill students and staff expected, the school should notify WDGPH at 1-800-265-7293, ext. 4752. Staff should follow the school’s policies and procedures for managing increased illness in addition to any advice provided by WDGPH at the time of notification.