Gastroenteritis outbreak in childcare

Published on 15 March 2021

The Victorian Chief Health Officer has announced that parents and carers are urged to keep young children at home if they are sick amid a rapid rise in outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis in Victorian childcare centres.

Viral gastroenteritis is highly infectious. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain, headache and muscle aches, with more severe outcomes in the elderly and very young. Symptoms can take up to three days to develop and usually last between one or two days, sometimes longer.

Washing hands with soap and water is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of infection. Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are not effective against many common viruses that cause gastroenteritis.

Infants or children in childcare or school, as well as staff, who develop vomiting or diarrhoea should stay at home until at least 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped.  See a GP if symptoms persist.

Parents should speak to their childcare provider about any outbreaks at the centre their child attends.

For more information : https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/about/news-and-events/healthalerts/gastro-outbreaks-childcare