Hunter stomach bug outbreak hits child care centers in New England

• Gastroenteritis outbreak underway in NSW
• Childcare centers hit in New England’s Hunter region

A series of childcare centers in New South Wales have experienced an outbreak of stomach bugs.

The outbreak is widespread in the New England Hunter region, with 24 child care centers affected, according to a senior public health official.

Gastroenteritis, known as “gastroenteritis,” is a common and often highly contagious disease that affects the stomach and intestines. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Symptoms also include nausea, stomach pain, fever, headache and loss of appetite.

Dr. David Durheim, a physician at Hunterdon Health New England, said seven new child care centers have been hit by the virus in the past week.

Dr Durheim told the Newcastle Herald: “Viral stomach bugs are unfortunately on the rise.”

‘It’s really taken off this month. It’s incredibly contagious.

Waves of the virus typically last four to eight weeks, he said.

Dr. Durheim emphasized the importance of regular hand washing with warm water and soap to curb the spread of the virus.

Most gastrointestinal cases “are probably norovirus,” Dr. Durheim said.

Norovirus is a virus that causes stomach problems and spreads easily from person to person.

“You can actually inhale it,” Dr. Durheim said.

“If someone vomits in an enclosed area, the vomit can stay in the air for a period of time and you can become infected.”

“More commonly it is through contact with contaminated surfaces or children. Typically this is where people change diapers or where children pee.

There is no vaccine for norovirus.

Dr Durheim said that although parents often think that their children can return to child care once their vomiting and diarrhea resolves, in fact they can still be contagious “up to 48 hours later”.

“So the last thing you want is for your child to go back to daycare, school or swimming lessons. This will spread to other children,” he said.

Dr. Durheim recommends that people affected by the virus drink plenty of “clear fluids.”

The outbreak of gastroenteritis in New England’s Hunter is a little later than in previous years, but not “completely unexpected,” he said.

He said the latest outbreak was the “second wave” of the year, following the last gastrointestinal event in late April.