Nearly 1,000 children in NSW have been affected by viral gastroenteritis since last month, as childcare centres across the state experience an above-average number of outbreaks.

In the past week alone, 559 children sought emergency treatment for the infection caused by norovirus or rotavirus. More than 200 childcare employees have also reported falling sick during the outbreaks. 

NSW Health has alerted carers and parents with children under five years old to wash their hands carefully and stay indoors if ill, as gastroenteritis is highly contagious and passed on via direct contact with an infected person. 

Symptoms of gastroenteritis include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain, headaches and muscle aches. These symptoms can take up to three days to develop and will typically last for one to two days, sometimes longer.

“The best defence is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 10 seconds before handling and eating food, and always wash your hands after using the toilet, changing nappies or assisting someone who has diarrhoea or vomiting,” NSW Health’s Acting Manager of Enteric and Zoonotic Diseases Keira Glasgow said.

Viral gastroenteritis can be treated through rest and drinking lots of fluids. While most recover without complications, the infection can be serious for infants, elders and people with suppressed immune systems. 

To prevent the infection from spreading, NSW Health advises staff working in food preparation, childcare or aged care to avoid returning to work until 48 hours after their symptoms disappear, and those who don’t fall under any of those categories to wait at least 24 hours.