Alice Springs suffers gastro outbreak

Health authorities have issued a warning after an outbreak of gastro-intestinal
illness in Alice Springs.
The Department of Health and Families on Wednesday said there had been an increase
in gastroenteritis-type illness in urban and remote areas around the desert town.
Cate Coffey, acting director of the department's Centre for Disease Control, said
the outbreak included rotavirus, a viral infection that causes vomiting, fever, and
diarrhoea.
"Symptoms usually start suddenly and within 24 to 72 hours after contact, and may
last four to six days on average," she said.
"Rotavirus is shed in faeces and also may be transmitted through coughing or sneezing."
It mainly affects children under five, and kids aged between six months and two
years are particularly vulnerable as they can become severely dehydrated.
Ms Coffey said anyone with diarrhoea should drink extra fluids to avoid dehydration.
Those who fell ill should not go to work, school, attend childcare centres or swim
in public pools until the diarrhoea stops.