Gastro cases in NSW spiking, authorities issue public warning

Gastro cases are at their highest levels in years, prompting NSW Health to issue a public warning.

“Maintaining good hand hygiene and keeping children at home when they are unwell will give us a good chance to slow the spread,” NSW Health One Health director Keira Glasgow said.

Testing and hospital data is showing a significant rise in cases in the past few weeks, with 2700 people showing up in emergency departments last with bearing symptoms of gastroenteritis.

The increase in cases is being driven by two pathogens which commonly cause vomiting and diarrhoea, rotavirus and norovirus, NSW Health says.

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

Health authorities are also on edge ahead of a new school term starting next week.

“The message to the community is clear – simple measures can help stop the spread of gastro,” Ms Glasgow said.

“Maintaining good hand hygiene and keeping children at home when they are unwell will give us a good chance to slow the spread.”

Parents and caregivers need to keep kids with gastro symptoms away from childcare, vacation care and schools for 48 hours after their last symptoms.

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain, headache and muscle aches. Symptoms can take up to three days to develop and usually last between one or two days, but sometimes longer.

The viruses spread from the vomit or faeces of an infected person.

Anyone visiting an aged care facility should not use the private toilet in the room of their loved one.

For parents and caregivers caring for a child with symptoms, you should wear gloves and a mask when cleaning their bodily fluids, including vomit.

Hands should be thoroughly washed after changing nappies or assisting someone to use the bathroom.

Any contaminated surfaces should be immediately cleaned with hot soapy water, disinfectant and bleach.

The main treatment for gastro is to rest and stay hydrated.

Most people recover without complications but more urgent care may be needed for infants, people with suppressed immune systems, and the elderly, who may experience more serious illness, NSW Health says.

Originally published as Gastro cases in NSW spiking, authorities issue public warning