Western NSW Local Health District (LHD) co-ordinator Communicable Diseases Priscilla Stanley is warning the peak of the viral gastroenteritis season is approaching, with recent increases in cases in the community, childcare centres and aged care facilities.
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Ms Stanley said outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis occur seasonally, and this was when rotavirus and norovirus were commonly circulating in the community.
A second peak of viral gastroenteritis is usually observed at the beginning of each year, coinciding with the intake of new children to early childhood centres.
“Although the cause of most outbreaks in institutions is not diagnosed, all outbreaks occurring in institutions in the past month appear to have been caused by viruses that spread easily from person to person,” she said.
“Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain, headache, and muscle aches and usually last between one and two days, sometimes longer,” she said.
During September, 63 outbreaks in institutions (including childcare centres, nursing homes and hospitals) were reported, affecting at least 803 people.
However, the number of outbreaks reported is lower than the monthly September average of 73 outbreaks seen in the previous five years.
For more information, visit http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/
gastroenteritis/Pages/default.aspx