Public health alert issued for outbreak of gastro across parts of NQ

Residents are being told to be vigilant with handwashing and personal safety, after an increase in the number of ED presentations of gastro. DETAILS

Townsville Public Health Unit senior medical officer Dr Mikaela Seymour

Residents of Townsville and Charters Towers are being told to be vigilant with handwashing and personal safety, after an increase in the number of ED presentations of gastro.

Cases have “increased six-fold” in the past week, with almost 20 per cent of presentations to

the Charters Towers Health Service emergency department diagnosed as gastro.

Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and fever.

The increase is being specifically linked to childcare centres and schools across the Townsville and Charters Towers region.

Townsville Public Health Unit senior medical officer Dr Mikaela Seymour said affected

children were mostly in the 10–19-year age bracket, suggesting schoolchildren may be at

increased risk.

“We encourage parents to keep their children home from daycare and school until

symptoms have stopped for at least 48 hours,” Dr Seymour said.

Dr Seymour said the Townsville Public Health Unit recommended several steps to stop the

spread across the community and reduce the risk.

”Hand hygiene is critical, we want to be reminding children to wash their hands thoroughly

and frequently and prioritise hand washing with soap and water first and foremost,” Dr

Seymour said.

“Not all gastro bugs are cleaned away by hand sanitiser, so the use of soap and water is

preferred, especially after using the bathroom and before eating food.”

“Do not attend a swimming location for at least 14 days after symptoms have ceased.

“Ensure food is well cooked before consumption and keep fluids up as much as possible.”

Those with worsening symptoms should seek medical advice.

Originally published as Public health alert issued for outbreak of gastro across parts of NQ