PDF printable version of Recent Outbreaks of Gastroenteritis (PDF 569 KB)

Dear Directors of Nursing and Care Managers

An article in the Herald Sun newspaper on 17 January 2013 reported a larger than usual number of cases of severe gastroenteritis (gastro) reported to Australian public health authorities recently, including among residents in aged care facilities. This is thought to be due to the spread of a new strain of norovirus which has caused a winter gastro epidemic in Europe and the United Kingdom with the closure of hospital wards and an impact on nursing homes.

With many residential aged care facilities experiencing outbreaks of gastro in recent weeks, this is a timely reminder that gastro outbreaks occur throughout the year and that your infection control plans and procedures need to be in place all year round.

I encourage you to:

Ensure you and your staff practice good hand hygiene. Hand washing is the single most effective intervention to reduce the risk of catching or transmitting gastro and is essential for protecting both residents and staff.
Use the Gastro Info Kit (the Kit) which is available electronically on the website of the Department of Health and Ageing at www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ageing-publicat-gastro-kit.htm or you can request further copies of these resources through National Mail and Marketing on 1800 020 103 or at nmm@nationalmailing.com.au
Ensure you know what the requirements are in your state or territory regarding reporting of gastro outbreaks to the relevant public health unit.

Yours sincerely

Susan Hunt RN, PhD, FRCNA
Senior Nurse Adviser
Office of Aged Care Quality and Compliance
January 2013

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