Infectious Diseases and Public Health

Subtopics

Distance Learning

In-Person Learning

Physical Spacing and Testing

Sanitation and Ventilation

Protect schools and communities during a public health crisis.

Schools must be prepared to respond to sudden infectious disease outbreaks and other public health concerns and emergencies. Sustaining safe in-person learning, ensuring proper hygiene, and managing daily operations are all important for keeping a safe and secure school environment amid a health crisis.

Schools are an important part of the infrastructure of communities. They provide safe and supportive learning environments for students that support social and emotional development, provide access to critical services, and improve life outcomes. Schools should work with local public health officials, consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including those related to privacy, to determine additional prevention strategies needed in their area by monitoring levels of community transmission and local vaccine coverage, and use of screening testing to detect cases in K-12 schools during public health emergencies.

Use the filter below to sort resources available based upon stages of preparedness and subtopic.

Featured Resources

These resources are a starting point for learning about infectious diseases and public health. Use these resources to help your school manage and respond to an infectious disease outbreak and promote safe public health. Members of the school community can also download this SchoolSafety.gov infographic to learn more about everyday preventive actions and access a sampling of infectious diseases and public health resources.

Guidance

Guidance for School Administrators to Help Reduce the Spread of Seasonal Influenza in K-12 Schools

Department of Health and Human Services

This webpage provides guidance to help reduce the spread of seasonal flu among students and staff in K-12 schools.

Guidance

Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning

Department of Health and Human Services

This updated version of COVID-19 guidance for school administrators outlines strategies for K-12 schools to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and maintain safe operations.

Webpage

Seasonal Flu: Information for Schools & Childcare Providers

Department of Health and Human Services

This webpage provides information, materials, and tools to help reduce the spread of seasonal flu among students and staff in K-12 schools and also links to resources on common flu topics for school administrators, school staff, and parents.

Filter Resources

All Infectious Diseases and Public Health Resources

The federal government identified additional resources that highlight strategies for school safety. Use these resources to learn more about infectious diseases and public health.

Webpage

Hand Hygiene at School

Department of Health and Human Services

This webpage highlights the importance of hand hygiene and outlines ways school personnel can promote hand hygiene in school to keep staff and children healthy.

Webpage

Creating Healthy Indoor Air Quality in Schools

Environmental Protection Agency

This webpage includes resources for schools to promote a safe, healthy learning environment by improving indoor air quality and breathability.

Tool

Interactive School Ventilation Tool

Department of Health and Human Services, May 2022

If a teacher or student has been infected with COVID-19, improving ventilation can help prevent virus particles from accumulating in the air. Use this interactive tool to see how particle levels change as you adjust ventilation settings in your school, and how to decrease particle levels.