Viral gastroenteritis, also known as gastro, is highly contagious and poses significant risks in childcare and preschool settings where children interact closely. NEPHU’s resource can be used by childcare and preschool facilities to provide parents and staff with key guidance to help manage outbreaks and protect vulnerable children.
Gastro can be caused by various factors including viruses, bacteria, parasites, bacterial toxins, chemicals, or medications. Viral infections are often the cause of outbreaks in childcare and preschool settings. Limiting its spread is essential to protect others, especially those who may be more vulnerable to severe illness.
Symptoms may include loss of appetite, feeling unwell, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain and cramps, fever. Although in most cases, symptoms resolve on their own within a few days, some people may need extra care due to loss of fluids and dehydration.
Childcare and preschool facilities can download the following resource to provide parents and staff with more information and advice on what to look out for when dealing with gastro infections in children or an outbreak of gastro in the facility.
Advice on prevention
Viral gastro can easily spread through contaminated hands, surfaces, toys and food. To help reduce the risk of spreading the infection, children with symptoms of gastroenteritis must not attend childcare/preschool until 48 hours after the symptoms have resolved.
Other ways you can help control and prevent the spread of infection include:
- Washing hands properly with soap and water, especially after going to the toilet or changing nappies, and before preparing food or eating. Alcohol-based sanitisers are not effective against the viruses that cause gastro.
- Clean surfaces, toys, nappy change areas and other high-touch areas like counters and taps regularly to help prevent transmission.
- Clean the toilet and bathroom regularly, especially the toilet seat, door handles and taps.
Notification instructions for facility staff
If you suspect that a gastrointestinal outbreak is occurring at your facility or premises, you should notify the department and refer to the guide to the management and control of gastroenteritis outbreaks in children’s services centres.
For more information about Notifiable Conditions and how to report them, visit our webpage below.
