There has been a significant rise in cases of gastroenteritis across NSW.
NSW Health is encouraging the community to stay on alert for symptoms of gastroenteritis, with testing and hospital data showing a significant rise in cases in recent weeks across the state.
The increase is being driven by two pathogens which commonly cause vomiting and diarrhoea, rotavirus and norovirus. Rotavirus can be particularly severe in young children. Norovirus is a common cause of outbreaks in residential aged care facilities, schools and child care centres.
Director of NSW Health’s One Health branch Keira Glasgow said: “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.”
The main treatment for viral gastroenteritis is to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Most people recover without complications but more urgent care may need to be sought for infants, people with suppressed immune systems, and the elderly.
For information visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/factsheets/pages/viral-gastroenteritis.aspx