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.

Guidance

Ventilation in Schools and Childcare Programs

Department of Health and Human Services, 2021

Ventilation is one component of maintaining healthy environments, and is an important COVID-19 prevention strategy for schools and childcare programs. This webpage highlights ways you can improve ventilation in your school or childcare program, whether in a large building or in a home.

Webpage

Healthy Indoor Environments in Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

Environmental Protection Agency, 2021

This webpage contains links to resources and guidance from Federal agencies about indoor air considerations for schools during COVID-19 and for school reopening, as well as Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools resources to help create, maintain, and improve healthy learning environments beyond the pandemic.

Guidance

Letter to Educators: New CDC Recommendations and Their Impact on Children with Disabilities

Department of Education, March 2022

This document is intended to help educators, staff, and families preserve safe in-person learning opportunities for students with disabilities, including those at high risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.