Illness Prevention

The University of Waterloo, in compliance with our local Public Health recommendations, has been taking measures to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.  

Communicable diseases are illnesses that are spread from an animal to a person, from contact with a contaminated surface or food, or through direct contact with a sick person or respiratory droplet spread from a sick person sneezing or coughing.

Information on active communicable diseases

Updated: August, 2024

An "active" communicable disease is one that has been flagged by local public health as on the rise in the Waterloo Region.

If you think you might have COVID-19, take the COVID-19 self-assessment.

For more COVID-19 health advice, visit the Ontario guidance on protection from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a respiratory illness caused by viruses that affect the nose, throat and lungs.

For more information, visit the Region of Waterloo seasonal flu page.

How to reduce the spread of illnesses

Stay home if you have these symptoms:

• Fever, chills, sore throat, vomiting, difficulty breathing, headache, body aches, fatigue, cough, diarrhea, etc. 
• Follow the Ontario guidelines for more information about protection from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses

Students: If you test positive for COVID-19 or related symptoms, you should complete the Student Absence Declaration for undergraduate students or the Student Absence Declaration for graduate students. 

Find out more about academic considerations and accommodations for short-term and long-term illnesses. 

Employees: You do not need to inform Occupational Health if you contract a communicable disease. If you need to be off work due to illness, please notify your supervisor and record any sick days in Workday. 

Instructors: Find out more about short-term absences.  

To help limit the spread of respiratory illness, you can wear a mask in indoor settings. A mask that fits well, has multiple layers, and has an effective filter layer is best. Wherever you go, please always follow the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) recommendations on masks, including wearing a mask for 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19. 

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 

Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and throw used tissues in the garbage. Make sure to wash your hands afterwards. 

• Experts agree that vaccination continues to offer the best protection against severe illness and staying up to date with vaccinations also reduces your risk of infection. You can book a COVID-19 vaccination and/or seasonal flu vaccination with your health care provider or at Campus Wellness.
• The School of Pharmacy provides clear advice and FAQs on boosters.

Physical environment

• Plant Operations provides frequent cleaning of classrooms, washrooms, common areas, and high-touch surfaces.
• Employees should keep their immediate workstations clean by frequently using surface wipes and sanitizing products.
• Hand sanitizing stations are located throughout campus for quick and easy use.

Waterloo’s campuses have 100 major buildings with 398 HVAC units. Since November 2020, every building has been retrofitted to accommodate MERV13 filters. MERV13 filters are recommended by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers as they are at least 85 per cent efficient at capturing particles in the 1 µm to 3 µm size range. Up to 300 standalone HEPA filter units are also used as an additional measure to filter air, particularly in rooms that may have lower ventilation rates or have high occupancy limits. Enhanced air filtration in campus buildings will be maintained for the foreseeable future.

If your unit would like to order signs that encourage COVID-19 booster doses, they can be ordered through Print + Retail Solutions. If you have any issues ordering, please email wprint@uwaterloo.ca.

• For immediate medical attention 
  • Call 911 if you are experiencing a life-threatening issue
  • Grand River Hospital  – 519-749-4300
  • St. Mary's Hospital – 519-744-3311  
• Mental health supports for students
  • If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk to somebody, please contact Campus Wellness. Call 519-888-4096 or walk in to book an appointment. In-person and virtual supports are available to support your mental health and well-being.
  • Empower Me - to access this service, create an account on the Dialogue mobile app or on the web at dialogue.co/en/members/studentcare. Empower Me provides virtual access to qualified counsellors 24/7, 365 days a year.
  • Here 24/7 - 1-844-437-3247 (available for immediate support).
• Mental health supports for employees 
  • Our Employee and Family Assistance Program is available 24/7 for counselling, coaching and support. Call 1-800-663-1142 or visit Homeweb.ca.
  • Occupational Health works closely with managers, supervisors, human resources, and individual employees to maintain, promote and restore employee health, safety and well-being. Find out about their services. 

For any questions related to Waterloo's approach to illness prevention, please contact communications@uwaterloo.ca.