Dangerous strain of gastro strikes Adelaide children in record numbers
A nasty strain of gastro is striking down Adelaide children at a record rate, with babies most at risk of falling gravely ill.
Health authorities don't know why there have been 800 more cases of rotavirus this year. Sixty per cent of those have been kids under 10 years old.
Symptoms can include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
SA Health’s Professor Paddy Phillips warned babies were most vulnerable to rotavirus because it can cause severe dehydration.
Young children may need urgent medical attention and may even need to be hospitalised.
“It is a worry because rotovirus can be very severe. Especially in unprotected children, it can cause very quick dehydration,” Prof Phillips said.
“Vomiting can make a baby very sick, very quickly.”
An 11-year-old boy was one of those struck down last week. His mother Tina Nilsson feared the highly contagious virus would spread.
“He started waking up during the night vomiting and the next day started diarrhoea, which lasted for six days,” the mother-of-three told 7 News.
“Just to really make sure he washes his hands every time he goes to the toilet, because we’ve got other kids in the family.”
Rotavirus is on the vaccination schedule, and two oral doses can protect your children.
“Luckily, the vaccination program in young kids does help to reduce the risk substantially, but we are seeing kids get the virus still,” Prof Phillips said.
Those showing signs are urged to avoid childcare centres and schools.
