Gastro in childcare: managing an outbreak

Why gastro spreads so fast in childcare

Viruses such as norovirus spread through tiny amounts of vomit and faeces on hands, toys and surfaces. With nappies, shared toys and toddlers who mouth everything, a few cases can quickly become many.

Spotting an outbreak

Your illness records are the early warning — several children or staff with diarrhoea or vomiting around the same time. Staying healthy says that if there are 2 or more cases of gastro at the service, refer to your state or territory's guidelines for gastro outbreaks or contact your local public health unit. Some states and territories require you to notify the public health unit if you suspect an outbreak. Your nominated supervisor or director usually makes that call, so report clusters to them straight away.

Exclusion

• Send children and staff home as soon as diarrhoea or vomiting starts.
• Exclude them until there has been no diarrhoea or vomiting for at least 24 hours — or 48 hours if norovirus is confirmed.
• Staff shouldn't handle food until they've had no symptoms for at least 48 hours.
• Check whether your state or territory has different requirements, and follow any advice from the public health unit.

What educators do differently

• Wash hands with soap and water often, and supervise children's handwashing closely.
• Clean up vomit and diarrhoea straight away, using the spill kit and gloves, then clean and disinfect the area.
• Clean toilets, nappy change areas, taps and door handles more often, and remove toys that are hard to clean.
• Put soiled clothes in a plastic bag for families to take home that day, after disposing of any faeces in the toilet.
• Stop cooking activities with children until the public health unit says they can resume.

Communicating

Your service will tell families about the outbreak and what's being done, following its policy. Keep recording every new case — the public health unit may ask for the details.

Look after yourself

If you get sick, stay home and follow the same exclusion rules. Coming in unwell is one of the main ways outbreaks keep going.