For Schools and Childcare Centers

Schools and childcare facilities are required to notify the local health department of the presence of a contagious disease (WAC 246-110-020) or of suspected or confirmed outbreaks of notifiable conditions (WAC 246-101-415 and 246-101-420). Schools are also asked to report when absenteeism exceeds 10% of the student population.

Making a Report

Monitoring school absenteeism due to illness is a critical part of tracking disease in Island County. Reporting illness allows us to provide proper public health response and assistance. Early detection through surveillance methods like this will help control the spread of illness in our community. Notify Island County Public Health if greater than 10% of the total school population is absent due to unexpected illness by completing our reporting form here.

Additional Resources for Schools and Childcare Centers

Schools are allowed to report diseases or health concerns that pose a risk to student health and safety under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (34 CFR § 99.36). Reporting helps prevent the spread of disease through early identification and application of control measures.

For further detailed information on immunizations, including information in multiple languages, visit the WA DOH School and Child Care Immunization web page.

Visit our Provider Resources page for information on disease reporting, current COVID-19 information, and health alerts. After receiving a report, Island County Public Health can provide guidance on outbreak response.

Disease Fact Sheets for School and Childcare Settings

The fact sheets provided on this page are for notifying caregivers about a possible exposure to an infectious disease.  The fact sheets are for general information only to advise staff and families on how to limit the spread of disease, what symptoms to look for, and whether a child should stay home.  Have staff and families contact their healthcare provider for more information.

• Fifth Disease
• Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
• Lice
• M.pneumoniae (Walking pneumonia)
• Norovirus
• Pertussis
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)

Prevention Resources

Encourage children, parents and staff to take the following Everyday Preventive Actions to prevent disease.

For flyers of immunization schedules for schools and childcare and locations for childhood immunizations, click on the following links:

• Required Immunizations Chart for School Year 2025-26
• Required Immunizations Chart for Child Care
• Childhood Immunizations Locations in Island County

For further detailed information on immunizations, including information in multiple languages, click on the following link:

• School and Child Care Immunizations Information for Families