‘Rapid rise’ in virus that isn’t Covid

There’s been a “rapid” rise of gastro cases in Victorian childcare centres, with parents urged to keep children at home if they are sick.

There have been 56 outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis in the state’s childcare centres since the start of November compared with 19 during the same period last year.

Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton on Monday night urged parents and carers to keep young children at home if they were sick.

“Viral gastroenteritis is highly infectious and may spread rapidly,” Professor Sutton said in the health advisory.

“Infants or children, as well as staff, who develop vomiting or diarrhoea should not attend child care, camps or any other group activities until at least 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped.

“If symptoms are severe or they persist, or you are concerned, see a GP for advice and possible testing.”

Most of the outbreaks are suspected or confirmed to be caused by norovirus – a viral infection resulting in vomiting and diarrhoea – with person-to-person transmission.

The virus is present in the vomit and faeces of an infected person and can spread from person to person through contaminated objects or food via unwashed hands.

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

The virus can affect all ages but the elderly and very young are most at risk of complications.

The main one is dehydration, but this can be prevented if the fluid lost is replaced, ideally with electrolyte solutions or ice blocks.

Staff and parents are urged to be vigilant for symptoms in children and reinforce basic hygiene measures.

While washing hands with soap and water is one of the best ways to stop the infection spreading, alcohol-based hand sanitisers will not work against many common viruses that cause gastroenteritis.

Anyone recovering from gastroenteritis should not visit hospitals, childcare centres and aged care facilities to avoid spreading the infection to those most vulnerable.

Anyone living in a household with someone who has gastroenteritis should also not visit these high-risk facilities until at least 48 hours after the last person in the household has recovered.