The Gold Coast is in the grip of a gastroenteritis outbreak, with 16 childcare centres, schools and aged care centres affected and health authorities are investigating cases at five more facilities.
Andre Wattiaux from the Gold Coast Public Health said the outbreak is spreading and people are being urged to wash their hands regularly and parents should keep children at home if they display symptoms.
"A couple of weeks ago we were notified by a number of childcare centres that they had gastro outbreaks in their facilities," Dr Wattiaux said.
"On the weekend we only had nine, which is already quite a bit for this time of the year.
"By yesterday we had 16 and we're investigating another five, so clearly it is on the rise."
'Only a matter of time'
Gastroenteritis is generally caused by viral, bacterial or parasitic infections.
It causes inflammation and irritation of the stomach and intestines which leads to symptoms including diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea.
Monica McFarlane said her two-year-old son developed symptoms over the weekend and she was concerned her two other children, aged three and five years, may be affected.
"It's only a matter of time," she said.
"I went to a doctor two days ago because my son was quite sick.
"He first developed it on Saturday but he's still pooing like a champ."
Ms McFarlane said six children at her son's Southport childcare centre were absent on Monday and she has now also contracted gastro.
Gold Coast Public Health has not named the schools and centres affected.
The outbreaks have been recorded in suburbs across the Gold Coast with childcare centres the most affected.
"We've seen it in a couple of schools now, primary schools and a high school, and also in a couple of residential aged care facilities," Dr Wattiaux said.
"We do see gastro, especially at the beginning of summer … but the numbers all together in a fortnight — that's quite a bit."
Hand hygiene
Dr Wattiaux said parents are being urged to tell their children to wash their hands and people working or visiting aged care facilities should maintain high hygiene standards.
"We've been drilling the point with COVID around, but it really breaks the cycle of transmission to have regular and thorough handwashing with soap and water," Dr Wattiaux said.
"If parents have children with diarrhoea and/or vomiting, do not send them to the childcare centre and to school, and keep them home for at least 48 hours after they've stopped having symptoms."
Gold Coast Pubic Health said no-one has been hospitalised and most people with symptoms recover within 24 to 48 hours.
