Monday 24 May 2010
The Department of Health and Families (DHF) has advised Central Australia residents in urban and remote areas, including the Barkly Region, to take precautions against gastroenteritis illness following the hospitalisation of seven children over the weekend.
The latest cases bring the total of children admitted to Alice Springs Hospital with the complaint since May 11 to 38.
"We can all reduce the risk of gastroenteritis by washing our hands with soap and water before eating or preparing food, after using the toilet or changing nappies," Dr Teem-Wing Yip, Co-ordinator of DHF's Centre for Disease Control in Alice Springs, said.
The increase in gastroenteritis illnesses includes rotavirus. Rotavirus is a viral infection that causes vomiting, fever and watery diarrhoea. Symptoms usually start suddenly and within 24 to 72 hours after contact, and may last four to six days on average. Rotavirus is found in faeces and also may be transmitted through coughing or sneezing.
Rotavirus mainly affects children under five years of age, but children six to 24 months old are particularly vulnerable and may become severely dehydrated.
Anyone with diarrhoea should:
- drink extra fluids to avoid dehydration
- not attend child care, school or work until the diarrhoea has ceased
- not swim, wade or paddle in public pools
- see a doctor if they have prolonged or severe diarrhoea or have symptoms that concern them. Children with diarrhoea who vomit or refuse extra fluids should see a doctor.
Children with diarrhoea should be kept away from child-care, pre-school or school until the diarrhoea has stopped. Hospitalisation may be required if dehydration is severe.
"Having your child immunised against rotavirus is a good way of preventing the disease," Dr Yip said.
"The free oral rotavirus vaccine is part of the child immunisation schedule for children aged two and four months of age. This oral vaccine must be given on time for it to be effective, so if you have young children, please talk to your GP or local health clinic and get them in to be vaccinated."
Media inquiries: Dale Webster 0401 116 203. Robin Osborne 0488 692 781
