Bendigo Health has recorded a only a slight increase in presentations to its emergency department from patients with gastroenteritis symptoms, despite a number of cases being reported in the city in recent days.
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A hospital spokeswoman said the increase had not resulted in an outbreak within the hospital.
“Staff have been advised to be alert to patients who present with such symptoms and to follow appropriate infection control procedures,” she said.
“People are being urged to be vigilant with increased hand washing, combined with the use of anti-bacterial gels after contact with other people and surfaces.”
Health Department spokesman Bram Alexander said there had been no reported spike in gastro cases in Victoria compared with the same time last year, but it was not unusual to see higher rates of the illness in winter.
“The important point to make in the school context is that parents who know their child is unwell shouldn’t send their child to school while they’re unwell with vomiting or diarrhea and they should keep them at home for up to 48 hours after the symptoms have ceased,” he said.
“A cornerstone of what we do is good hand hygiene, washing hands with soap and water, especially at those key times, after going to the toilet, after handling pets and after changing children’s nappies.”
