Gastro strikes city nursing homes

AN OUTBREAK of gastro has struck aged care facilities in Geelong over the past few weeks.
A Barwon Health spokesperson said Geelong Hospital’s emergency department had fielded patients from private nursing homes with community-acquired gastro.
“This caused a few issues because we can’t discharge them to the same place, we can’t send them back until the place has been cleared,” the spokesperson said.
“There’s been a lot around but it’s not uncommon and it’s highly infectious. People need to take normal hand hygiene procedures and also be careful when handling food.’’
Barwon Medicare Local spokesperson Dr Jane Opie said vaccinations had at least reduced incidences of the main rotovirus gastro affecting babies and young children.
Dr Opie said caused by contaminated food was often the cause of outbreaks in nursing homes.
“The bugs grow more in warmer temperatures,’’ she said.
“My health message at the moment is take care with how foods handled, particularly over Christmas-new year and use alcohol hand rub.’’