SWAN Hill childhood education providers say they aren’t concerned about gastro outbreaks that are surging across the state.
There have been 104 outbreaks of the virus in childcare centres up until February 23 this year.
Over the past five years, the average over the same period has been 63.More commonly known as gastro, those with the virus may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain, headache and muscle aches.
It can take up to three days to develop, and typically only lasts for a day or two.
Swan Hill Childcare Centre said that while they have had the small number of children come down with the virus, they were not concerned about a growing outbreak in Swan Hill. However, due to the statewide concern, they have placed a notice for parents and are taking extra precautions, such as increased cleaning.
At the start of 2021, just after a COVID lockdown in Victoria was eased, 389 outbreaks were detected in childcare centres up until the end of April, which is four times higher than the average for that time of year.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Professor Brett Sutton, believed childcare workers, families and children all have to play their part in limiting the spread of the virus.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic, disinfecting hands with alcohol-based hand rubs has become routine, but these are less effective for gastro bugs,” Prof Sutton said.
“A good old-fashioned scrub with soap and warm water is the best way to remove the gastro virus from our hands and prevent passing in on to infect others.”
Anyone who develops vomiting or diarrhoea should stay home for at least 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped.
It is highly recommended that anyone recovering from gastro should avoid hospitals, early childhood services and aged care facilities to avoid spreading the infection to those most vulnerable.
