Public health officials have contacted all medical staff across the Turks and Caicos Islands in an effort to ensure that all possible data is gathered to help resolve an outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting being experienced in Providenciales.
Public and Environmental Health officials have been visiting hotels in Providenciales daily to educate hospitality staff about what additional hygiene measures they can put in place to prevent and reduce the spread of infection. Everyone affected is being asked to report immediately to a physician for treatment and to provide samples to help identify the cause of the infection.
Additional staff has been brought in from elsewhere in the TCI to address this issue. The TCI authorities are in regular contact with the appropriate regional health organizations such as the Pan American Health Organisation, World Health Organisation and CAREC, including their reference laboratory in Trinidad.
The Chief Executive of the Government and the senior management team met earlier today to ensure that all available resources are made available to support the public health effort.
The TCI Ministry of Health and Educations (MOHE) advice to the general public is to:
- Carefully wash fruits and vegetables before eating
- Carefully wash all tinned food products before opening
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, especially:
- before preparing and or eating meals
- after using the toilet
- after being out in the public
- after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
- after handling trash or garbage
- before treating a cut or wound
- if you have been around someone who is ill
Hand washing is the single most important preventative measure to decrease the risk of infection. Hand washing should be frequent and thorough (scrub soap into hands for at least 15 seconds before rinsing, then dry with paper towels, a clean towel or blower).
If you become ill:
- Drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration and the need for medical attention
- Drink bottled water or water that has been boiled
- Drink clear liquids such as Gatorade and clear soup
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly
If You Have Nausea/ Vomiting/ Diarrhea and or cramping:
- Report to the nearest health care facility
- Stay at home until your symptoms have resolved and follow your health care providers instructions
The MOHE will continue to provide you with information to optimize your health.
