World Gastro outbreak spreads to schools, childcare and aged care centres

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A gastro outbreak has seen 16 childcare centres, schools and aged care centres struck down with infection, and five more facilities are at risk.

Queensland health authorities are investigating the dire situation on the Gold Coast after being notified about the growing cases 'a couple of weeks ago'.

Doctor Andre Wattiaux, from Gold Coast Public Health, said the infection is spreading at a rapid rate and urged people to wash their hands regularly.

© Provided by Daily Mail The Gold Coast is currently experiencing a gastro outbreak, with over a dozen childcare centres, schools and aged care centres affected (stock image)

© Provided by Daily Mail Over a dozen childcare centres have been hit by a gastro outbreak on the Gold Coast (stock image)

He also advised parents to keep their children at home if they are displaying common symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea.

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'A couple of weeks ago we were notified by a number of childcare centres that they had gastro outbreaks in their facilities,' Dr Wattiaux told the ABC.

'On the weekend we only had nine, which is already quite a bit for this time of the year.'

Gastroenteritis typically causes inflammation and irritation of the stomach and intestines.

Gold Coast Public Health has not yet named the schools and centres.

No one has been hospitalised since the outbreak began but typically individuals displaying gastro-type symptoms recover within 48 hours.

'We've seen it in a couple of schools now, primary schools and a high school, and also in a couple of residential aged care facilities,' Dr Wattiaux said.

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To enable schools to open and remain open, it is important to adopt and correctly and consistently The two measures of community burden should be used to assess the incidence and spread of Similarly, the identification of a community outbreak indicates increased community transmission and

Schools are an important part of the infrastructure of communities and play a critical role in supporting the whole child , not just their academic achievement. This guidance is for K-12 school administrators who are preparing for students, teachers, and staff to return to school in fall 2020.

'We do see gastro, especially at the beginning of summer … but the numbers all together in a fortnight - that's quite a bit.'

© Provided by Daily Mail Doctor Andre Wattiaux, from Gold Coast Public Health, has urged people to wash their hands regularly (stock image)