Prevention and management of infections – helpful information

Posted on 11 September 2025 in News and updates

Diseases can spread easily in shared learning and play settings. The SW Health Protection Team at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), with support from the Public Health Team here at Devon County Council, are here to help you prevent and manage cases and outbreaks of infectious diseases.

We hope the information below might help you keep everyone healthier, and support attendance at your setting. We recommend you keep these links available for quick and easy access when needed:

  • Managing specific infectious diseases: A to Z – GOV.UK – this A-Z list provides advice to help your setting staff know what they can manage themselves, and when they need to escalate a situation to the SW Health Protection Team (SWHPT) for guidance. Most infections can be safely and effectively managed within settings, so we recommend that you refer to this link before contacting the SWHPT.
  • The SWHPT has partnered with SW Councils to provide additional regional health protection resources. These are focused on Infection prevention and control, vaccines, specific infections, and symptoms. You can find these resources at UKHSA Infection Protection and Winter Readiness and Control Toolkit for Early Years and Education Settings – South West Councils. The infection prevention and control checklist  is a concise (3 page) guide to help prompt and evidence good practice. There are also some links for printable posters, and information about exclusions, among other resources.
  • Making sure that children and staff are up to date with routine vaccinations protects against potentially very harmful infections such as flu, measles, and meningitis. Good vaccination uptake helps stop these illnesses spreading, including to those who may be vulnerable to infections due to other illnesses. You can find out more information about vaccinations at NHS vaccinations and when to have them – NHS.
  • The SW Health Protection Team will continue to run free Health Protection webinars aimed at providing early years and education colleagues with information about how to prevent and manage cases and outbreaks. The next webinar will take place on Thursday 9th October 4-5pm. You can book your place here: Health Protection in Early Years and Educational Settings Webinar Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite