The Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the Department of Health is receiving reports of diarrhoea and vomiting illness in the community, above what is expected. Many of these cases have been confirmed as being caused by a virus called rotavirus.

The virus is most common in babies and young children. However, older children and adults can also become infected. It is most common in the winter and spring (December through June).

Once a person has been exposed to rotavirus, it takes about two days for the symptoms to appear. Symptoms include severe watery diarrhoea, often with vomiting, fever and abdominal pain, which can last from three to eight days. Symptoms can also include loss of appetite and dehydration, which can be especially harmful for infants and young children.

Symptoms of dehydration include decrease in the amount of urine passed, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up. A dehydrated child may also cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.

The best way to protect against dehydration is to drink plenty of liquids. Severe dehydration may require hospital admission. If you think you or someone you are caring for has rotavirus disease, or is severely dehydrated, contact your doctor.

The virus is passed most often when the person is sick and during the first three days after they recover. People with rotavirus infection should stay home from school or work until at least 48 hours after the last time they have had symptoms such as diarrhoea and/or vomiting.

To become infected, the virus must be passed from an infected person’s stool (faeces) and then enter another person’s mouth. This can happen by touching contaminated objects or surfaces, then putting your fingers in your mouth and by eating or drinking contaminated food and liquids. Thus, handwashing and cleaning frequently touched surfaces are also important in preventing illness.

A person may develop rotavirus disease more than once. Usually a person’s first infection with rotavirus causes the most severe symptoms.