Health officials have issued a public health warning as cases of gastroenteritis rise to their highest levels in years, with young children most at risk.
NSW Health has urged the community to be on high alert amid the latest outbreak, especially when students return from the school holidays next week.
The increase in gastroenteritis cases is due to two pathogens that commonly cause vomiting and diarrhea; rotavirus and norovirus.
Rotavirus can be particularly serious in young children and testing data reveals that rotavirus notifications are at some of their highest levels in recent years.
NSW Health One Health Branch Director Keira Glasgow said it is important to reduce the spread of gastroenteritis before the start of the new school term.
“Last week, there were more than 2,700 presentations to emergency departments in New South Wales with symptoms of gastroenteritis,” he said.
‘Presentations were particularly high in children under five years of age. The message to the community is clear: simple measures can help stop the spread of viral gastroenteritis.
“Maintaining good hand hygiene and keeping children home when they are unwell will give us a good chance of slowing the spread.”
Health officials have issued a public health warning as gastroenteritis cases rise to their highest levels in years, with young children most at risk (pictured, students in Melbourne).
Gastroenteritis can be transmitted through the vomit or feces of an infected person.
This can occur through close contact with dirty hands, touching contaminated surfaces, sharing contaminated objects, wiping up bodily fluids, consuming contaminated food or drinks, and occasionally inhaling airborne particles when people vomit.
Gastro can affect people of all ages, although the elderly, young children, and people with reduced immune systems are at greater risk of severe illness.
Anyone visiting a senior care facility should not use the private bathroom in their loved one’s room.
Parents and caregivers caring for a child with symptoms should wear gloves and a mask when cleaning up their body fluids, including vomit.
Hands should be washed thoroughly after changing diapers or helping someone go to the bathroom.
Any contaminated surface should be cleaned immediately with hot soapy water, disinfectant, and bleach.
The main treatment for gastroenteritis is to rest and stay hydrated.
Most people recover without complications, but more urgent care may be needed for babies, people with weakened immune systems and the elderly, who may experience more severe illness, NSW Health says.
