Almost 200 children have been struck down by gastroenteritis in Brisbane alone since June.

Outbreaks of gastro have increased 400 per cent in the last two months, with more than 50 daycare centres reporting two or more cases to Queensland Health.

In the north of the city, authorities were alerted to outbreaks – two or more cases in three days – by 35 daycare centres between June 15 and August 14, according to the Courier Mail. 

Parents have been strongly cautioned to keep sick children at home while they are sick, and keep them away from other children for 48 hours after they appear to be well.

‘We are asking that you keep all children presenting with vomiting and/or diarrhoea symptoms away from the Centre as we try to control the spread of infection.’

A Queensland Health spokesman acknowledged that the outbreaks were ‘significantly’ higher this year than for the same periods in 2016.

‘The data indicates a significantly high number of outbreaks during this eight week period in 2017, however, it should be noted that half of these outbreaks involved fewer than 10 unwell children,’ the spokesman said.

‘In general, it has been a big year for viral gastroenteritis outbreaks across the region.’

A number of child and aged care facilities across Melbourne have also been hit with the highly contagious stomach flu.

According to the Herald Sun, 80 per cent of these cases are from aged care homes and services, with some being quarantined in an effort to contain the rapidly spreading illness.

NSW Health said there was a 34 per cent increase in viral gastroenteritis notifications across the state over the previous year.

Gastro is an infection of the gut which typically causes diarrhoea and vomiting and should only last for a few days.

According to Health Direct infectious gastro spreads very easily through contact with an infected person or even through contaminated food or water.

If you or your child is feeling unwell it is best to stay at home so you don’t spread the infection.

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