Sunshine Coast childcare centres are battling a wave of gastroenteritis cases.
The Caloundra area is worst hit and the virus has spread quickly through children and staff to parents and relatives, with many families recovering at home together.
One centre was forced to close for three days, while another is set to close if any more children fall ill.
A Sunshine Coast University Hospital source said a number of people had come to the Emergency Department with the virus.
Health authorities have confirmed the Coast outbreak and are urging centres to review their infection control practices and promote prevention messages, including rigorous hand washing.
The past few months have seen a dramatic spike in gastro clusters in south-east Queensland with 20 childcare centres and 11 schools affected.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain are the main symptoms.
Gastroenteritis can be particularly dangerous in young children and the elderly due to severe dehydration.
Public Health Physician Dr Rosie Muller said there had been many reports of gastroenteritis outbreaks in early childhood education and care centres among staff and children on the Sunshine Coast.
“Gastroenteritis in early childhood settings is generally caused by a virus,” Dr Muller said.
“Viral gastroenteritis is highly infectious and can be passed from person to person very easily.
“As early childhood settings are prone to rapid spread of gastroenteritis, now is the time for Centres to review infection control practices and promote prevention messages.
“Children, staff and family members with vomiting or diarrhoea need to stay home (and away from others where possible) for at least 24-48 hours after symptoms have resolved.”
Dr Muller said thorough handwashing and hand-drying was also important to prevent spread.
She said people with diarrhoea or vomiting should not prepare food for others.
“Drinking plenty of fluids is important to keep someone with gastroenteritis hydrated.
“Although most people recover well from gastrointestinal illness in a few days, medical advice should be sought if:
• symptoms are very severe or persist
• there is blood in the diarrhoea
• the ill person is an infant, an older person or has other conditions (as loss of fluids
can have more severe impacts in these groups).
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