CANBERRA, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Australia's health authorities issued a warning on Wednesday after an outbreak of gastro-intestinal illness in Alice Springs.

    "Symptoms usually start suddenly and within 24 to 72 hours after contact, and may last four to six days on average," acting director of The Department of Health and Families for Disease Control Cate Coffey said.

    The Department of Health and Families said there had been an increase in gastroenteritis-type illness in urban and remote areas around the desert town. The outbreak included rotavirus, a viral infection that causes vomiting, fever, and diarrhoea.

    "Rotavirus is shed in faeces and also may be transmitted through coughing or sneezing," Coffey said.

    It mainly affects children under five, and kids aged between six months and two years are particularly vulnerable as they can become severely dehydrated.

    Alice Springs is the second largest town in the Northern Territory of Australia.