Gastro in Pine Valley Area?

[DonQx]

Hello All,

We're planning a Xmas walk "25/12 - 30/12 Xmas Escape – Pine Valley & Labyrinth, maybe Big Gun Pass" with a walking club.

Just received this message from a group member:

GP friend of mine who is also an outdoorsy person, told me that there has been very bad gastro from the Pine Valley area. Not mild, really serious stuff requiring medical intervention. Another friend who has some contact with Parks and Wildlife confirmed this, and said that PArks have cleared out the tank and done other measures none of which have fixed the problem. It 's likely that the possums have the gastro, and this means it gets in all the water sources, creeks or tanks or whatever.

Does anyone know more?

[ILUVSWTAS]

I spent a night up there recently, I wont sleep in the huts if I can help it. But a few others did. There were signs everywhere warning of Gastro, but they are in all the huts as far as I can tell. No-one got sick while we were there.

BUT I believe it is a problem all through the OT. 6 weeks ago a group of friends and I did the Traveller range, we stopped at windy ridge where one fellow used the "gents" Next day he was sick as a dog!!

[tasadam]

Short of asking Parks local rangers for more info, I wouldn't be letting the threat of gastro put me off going there. I think with good practices and an element of luck it is possible to remain safe.
I saw the gastro warning signs at Pine Valley hut too.
A possible problem I see with the Pine Valley area is that Cephissus Creek that comes past the hut is also visited by humans upstream. There's the Acropolis track, and I have heard of a campsite way up the creek between the Geryons and the Labyrinth pool of memories area, but haven't visited it. I don't think it is visited very often, but anything "done" upstream and not disposed of properly can pose a threat to the creek at Pine Valley. But I suspect the problem is more to do with things like table tops, door handles, toilet doors, flies, and not washing hands well. BUT I'm no expert.
I have never had gastro from a walk, and I have used tank water. Though I do prefer to get water from a stream, and I am fairly choosy where I get water from.

Cephissus Creek wasn't too much of a problem when I was there though - on the way to Pine Valley there is a log to cross with a cable to hold, the torrent in the creek was lapping against this log, not quite spilling over it. And just after the first suspension bridge the water was knee deep on the track for 50 metres or so. So everything had a good flush.

[flatfoot]

Thanks for the warning. I'll be spending a night at pine valley but will take great care.

It would also be important to carefully clean plates, utensils, etc. I prefer to just rinse/wipe items with warm water and then use boiling water for an extra rinse. I don't use detergent in the bush.

[Erica]

BUT I believe it is a problem all through the OT. 6 weeks ago a group of friends and I did the Traveller range, we stopped at windy ridge where one fellow used the "gents" Next day he was sick as a dog!!

Yep, there has been a fair bit of gastro on the OLT recently. We've had some bad cases with Cradle Huts, and are hearing about cases from the general public too. Hygiene everyone!!

[ILUVSWTAS]

I believe it's natures way of fighting back against us for ruining a lovely area.

And it's 80% the reason I will always try to NOT sleep in huts.

[DonQx]

Thanks all for the good info.

Can't remember encountering any cases of gastro when I was working on the track in the 90s.

Seems that there's been quite an increase. Why would that be?

[ollster]

Hygiene everyone!!

This. Stop being dirty ... and wash those hands properly.

Minor moderation in line with forum rules

[ILUVSWTAS]

Hygiene everyone!!

This. Stop being dirty ... and wash your hands properly.

Yep. Wearing gloves for when your in the huts is probably a good idea.

[DonQx]

face masks?

Gastro occurs when these germs are taken in by mouth
and this may happen in any of the following ways:
...
• airborne through vomiting, coughing and sneezing
(mainly viruses).
...

(http://www.health.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/331171/gastroenteritis.pdf)

[ollster]

face masks?

Is that goretex or event?

[Drifting]

I believe it's natures way of fighting back against us for ruining a lovely area.

And it's 80% the reason I will always try to NOT sleep in huts.

I feel there's a lot of truth in this. Nature has a way of getting her own back.

[corvus]

Prevention
General suggestions on how to reduce the risk of gastroenteritis include:
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the toilet , after smoking, after using a handkerchief or tissue.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing food or eating.
Use disposable paper towels to dry your hands rather than cloth towels, since the bacteria can survive for some time on objects.

Keep all kitchen surfaces and equipment clean.

Make sure foods are thoroughly cooked.



In other words if you get it you did not put in place personal hygiene practice.

[Lizzy]

2 words- Alcohol gel !!!

[walkinTas]

OR ANY SIMILAR PRODUCT

Disinfect your hands after using OLT toilets.
Don't eat with your hands in huts.
Disinfect your hands before preparing food.
Don't place food on wooden surfaces in huts.
Don't place eating utensils on tables etc in hut and then eat with them.
Disinfect plastic utensils and then wash with boiled water.
Cook food thoroughly before eating it.

[Tony]

This is an interesting article http://www.lightandmatter.com/article/hiking_water.html

[DonQx]

Thanks all for the input.

The last link is a good one!

a.