Key Points
- NSW Health says gastroenteritis cases are spiking.
- The illness is typically caused by rotavirus and norovirus pathogens.
- Hospital presentations are particularly high among young children.
NSW Health has warned of a spike in gastroenteritis cases, particularly among children, with authorities concerned the outbreak could worsen when children return to classrooms when school holidays end.
An increase in two pathogens that commonly cause vomiting and diarrhoea — rotavirus and norovirus — is driving the outbreak, the health authority said.
Rotavirus notifications to NSW Health are at "some of their highest levels in recent years".
Director of NSW Health's One Health branch Keira Glasgow said hospital presentations were particularly high in children under the age of five.
"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," she said.
"Last week, there were more than 2,700 presentations to NSW emergency departments with symptoms of gastroenteritis."
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain, headache and muscle aches.
Symptoms can take up to three days to develop and usually last from one to two days, but sometimes longer.
NSW Health says children should be kept home from school and daycare if they have symptoms, and stay home for 48 hours after their last symptoms.
People should wash their hands thoroughly and wash clothes in hot water, as the virus spreads through vomit or stool particles.
Immunisation against rotavirus is free for children under six months and recommended by NSW Health.
