More than 250 cases since January 1st
GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Services of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, is calling on the community to take preventive measures to prevent getting gastroenteritis, a very infectious germ that causes diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, fever and headache.
The Ministry of Public Health is monitoring the situation, and is calling on all sectors within the economy that are in the food preparation business to take measures.
Since January 1st more than 250 cases have been clinically diagnosed. 84 cases have been reported under five-year olds and 167 cases reported for those five and older. In 2013 there were 67 cases; 2012 had 43 cases and 2011 with 14 cases.
Gastroenteritis is an infection of the stomach and bowel (large intestine). The most common symptoms are vomiting and repeated episodes of diarrhea (three or more episodes within 24 hours). The causes and treatment of gastroenteritis can differ between children and adults.
The most common causes of gastroenteritis in adults are the norovirus and food poisoning. It is self-limiting.
The infection can spread when bacteria found in faeces are transferred to your mouth. Bacteria can be transferred through poor hygiene.
For example, if someone does not wash their hands after going to the toilet, any viruses or bacteria on their hands will be transferred to whatever they touch, such as glass, kitchen utensil or food.
Minister of Public Health Hon. Cornelius de Weever, "Get Checked" campaign, is in line with the preventive measures that should be taken to ensure that you don't get gastroenteritis and pass it on to others.
To prevent the spread of the infection, wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet and before eating or preparing food; clean the toilet, including the seat and handle, with disinfectant after each bout of vomiting or diarrhea; don't share towels, cutlery and utensils with other household members; and don't return to work until 48 hours have passed since your last bout of vomiting or diarrhea.
Consult your family physician if you have the vomiting/diarrhea so you can be referred to the lab to get a confirmation on the diagnosis and the virus type.
Practicing good food hygiene will help you avoid getting gastroenteritis from food poisoning. You should regularly wash your hands, surfaces and utensils with hot, soapy water; never store raw food and cooked foods together; avoid cross contamination of foods; make sure that food is properly refrigerated; always cook your food thoroughly; and never eat food that is past its sell by date.
If symptoms persist for a prolonged period of time, the family doctor may consider blood and stool tests to determine the cause of the vomiting and diarrhea.
For more information call 542-2078, 542-3003 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
