Health officials have issued a public health warning as gastroenteritis cases surge 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 as students return from school holidays next week.
The jump in gastro cases is driven by two pathogens which commonly cause vomiting and diarrhoea; rotavirus and norovirus.
Rotavirus can be particularly severe in young children and testing data reveals 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 the start of the new school term.
‘Last week, there were more than 2,700 presentations to NSW emergency departments with symptoms of gastroenteritis,’ she said.
‘Presentations were particularly high in children under five-years-old. 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.’
Health officials have issued a public health warning as gastroenteritis cases surge to their highest levels in years, with young children most at risk (pictured, students in Melbourne)
Gastroenteritis can be spread from the vomit or faeces of an infected person.
This can occur through close contact with unwashed hands, touching contaminated surfaces, sharing of contaminated objects, cleaning up body fluids, consuming contaminated food or drink, and occasionally inhaling airborne particles when people vomit.
Gastro can strike people of all ages, though the elderly, young children and people with reduced immune systems are most at risk of severe disease.
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.
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