Pickering et al listed a number of risk factors that contribute to spread of acute gastrointestinal infections in a day care center. These can serve as starting points for interventions to reduce spread of contagious agents.
Risk factors:
(1) one or more children with acute gastrointestinal infections
(2) lack of gloving during or handwashing after diaper changes
(3) lack of gloving during or handwashing after helping at toilet
(4) no policy for isolating a child with an acute gastrointestinal infection or for sending the child home
(5) use of a common area for diaper changing
(6) large groups of children
(7) carpeted flooring
(8) sharing toys and classroom objects
I would add:
(9) use of common area for food preparation
(10) lack of handwashing prior to food preparation
(11) lack of handwashing prior to eating or drinking
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