NSW Health is encouraging the community to stay on alert for symptoms of gastroenteritis, with testing and hospital data showing a significant rise in cases in recent weeks across the state.
The increase is being driven by two pathogens which commonly cause vomiting and diarrhoea, rotavirus and norovirus. Rotavirus can be particularly severe in young children. Norovirus is common cause of outbreaks are common in residential aged care facilities, schools and child care centres.
The latest testing data shows rotavirus notifications are at some of their highest levels in recent years.
Director of NSW Health’s One Health branch Keira Glasgow said it’s important to reduce the spread of gastro before schools return next week.
“Last week, there were more than 2,700 presentations to NSW emergency departments with symptoms of gastroenteritis. Presentations were particularly high in children who are under five years of age,” Ms Glasgow said.
“The message to the community is clear – simple measures can help stop the spread of gastro. Maintaining good hand hygiene and keeping children at home when they are unwell will give us a good chance to slow the spread.”
Viruses are spread from the vomit or stool (faeces) of an infected person. This can occur through close contact with unwashed hands, touching contaminated surfaces, when cleaning up body fluids, sharing of contaminated objects, consuming contaminated food or drink, and occasionally inhaling airborne particles when people vomit.
Viral gastroenteritis symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain, headache and muscle aches. They can take up to three days to develop and usually last between one or two days, and sometimes longer.
Advice for parents and caregivers includes:
- Keep children experiencing gastroenteritis home from childcare services, vacation care and school. Children should not return until 48 hours have passed since their last symptom.
- Wear gloves and a mask when cleaning up bodily fluids, including vomit.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and running water, particularly after changing nappies, assisting someone with diarrhoea and/or vomiting and before preparing food. Alcohol hand sanitiser is generally less effective than soap and water but can be used if these are not available.
- Immediately and thoroughly clean contaminated surfaces with hot, soapy water and then disinfect the area using a household disinfectant. If possible, disinfect with a freshly made sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution, prepared according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Immediately remove and wash clothing or linen that may be contaminated with stool or vomit (use hot water and detergent).
- If you are visiting a loved one in aged care, do not use private (in-room) toilets when visiting. If you have been unwell with an upset stomach or looking after children affected by these symptoms, wait at least 48 hours after your symptoms resolve before visiting.
Immunisation to prevent rotavirus infection is recommended and part of the childhood immunisation schedule. Immunisation is free for children under six months of age. The vaccine is given as two oral doses, at six weeks and four months of age, with completion of the course by 24 weeks of age.
The main treatment for viral gastroenteritis is to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Most people recover without complications but more urgent care may need to be sought for infants, people with suppressed immune systems, and the elderly, who may experience more serious illness.
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