About Gastroenteritis (Gastro)
Gastroenteritis, also known as gastro, is a common and often highly infectious condition that affects the stomach and intestines.
Gastro spreads when hands, food, objects and surfaces are contaminated with faeces or vomit and the infection is transferred to the mouth. Hand washing and good hygiene are essential to prevent gastro. It is also important that any spills are cleaned up quickly.
Symptoms of gastro include:
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- stomach pain
- nausea.
Often the infection resolves itself without treatment, however it’s important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Prevention gastro outbreaks Council works with care facilities, children’s services centres and camp facilities to help prevent and treat gastro outbreaks.
Preventing and Managing Gastro
Guide for children’s services centres
The Victorian Government Department of Health has developed a special guide for children’s centre operators. It contains important information to prevent and manage gastro outbreaks.
Download Department of Health guide for children’s centres
Environmental cleaning guide
The Victorian Government Department of Health has developed a quick reference guide for proper environmental cleaning and disinfection for gastro outbreaks in:
- care facilities
- children’s services centres
- camps.
Download environmental cleaning guide
Need help?
Contact us and we will come back to you.
Or call our Health Services team on 9298 8000.
