Hunter New England gastro outbreak hits childcare centres

An outbreak of gastrointestinal problems has hit a string of childcare centers in New South Wales.

The outbreak is widespread in the Hunter New England district, with 24 childcare centers affected, according to a senior public health official.

Gastroenteritis, also called ‘gastro’, is a common and often highly contagious condition that affects the stomach and intestines. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Symptoms also include nausea, stomach pain, fever, headache and loss of appetite.

24 childcare centers in the Hunter New England region of New South Wales have been hit by a gastro outbreak (pictured)

Dr. David Durrheim, a physician with Hunter New England Health, said seven new childcare centers had been affected by the virus in the past week.

“Viral gastro is unfortunately on the rise,” Dr. Durrheim told the newspaper Newcastle Herald.

‘It really took off this month. It’s incredibly contagious.’

He said waves of the virus typically last between four and eight weeks.

Dr. David Durrheim said it is important that people remember to wash their hands with warm water and soap to prevent the spread of the virus.

Dr. Durrheim emphasized the importance of washing hands regularly with warm water and soap to prevent the spread of the virus.

Dr. Durrheim said most gastro cases were “probably norovirus.”

Norovirus is a gastrointestinal virus that spreads easily from person to person.

“You can actually inhale it,” Dr. Durrheim said.

‘If someone has vomited in an enclosed space, it remains in the air for a while and you can become infected.

‘This usually happens by touching contaminated surfaces or children. These are often people changing diapers or where a child has spilled something.’

There is no vaccine against norovirus.

The latest gastro outbreak was the second for the region this year, according to Dr. Durrheim

Dr. Durrheim said that while parents often think that once the child’s vomiting and diarrhea subsides they can return to daycare, in reality they still remain contagious “up to 48 hours later.”

‘The last thing you want is for your child to go back to childcare, school or swimming lessons. That causes transmission to other children,” he said.

Dr. Durrheim suggested that those affected by the virus drink plenty of “clear fluids.”

He said the gastro outbreak in Hunter New England occurred slightly later in the year than normal, but not “completely unexpected”.

He said the latest outbreak was this year’s “second wave”, following the last gastro event in late April.