For the past seven days the Ministry of Health, Agriculture & Human Services has noticed a significant amount of Gastroenteritis cases in North Caicos especially among school age children.
The Environmental Health Officer has conducted a number of educational sessions with the teachers and student of the affected schools and has advised the principle on the necessary requirements for cleaning and sanitizing of the school.
Samples were taken for testing to identify the underlying cause.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services reminds everyone to practice personal hygiene and sanitation during this winter season.
Norovirus is a contagious virus often referred to as the stomach flu; however it is more severe and is highly infectious.
The bug causes stomach inflammation with vomiting and diarrhea.
Norovirus is spread by:
• Direct contact with an infected person
• Touching contaminated surfaces or objects
• Ingestion of contaminated foods or liquids
These viruses can infect anyone at any age once or more during a lifespan. The illness often begins suddenly and is usually not serious. Most people feel better within 1¬ to 2 days. However, this illness can be serious in young children, the elderly and people with chronic health conditions.
Symptoms of norovirus infection usually include diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach cramps. Other symptoms may include low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Bodily fluids lost from vomiting or diarrhoea may cause mild to severe dehydration. These fluids can be replaced by drinking lots of liquids or oral rehydration solution. Severe dehydration, which can be life threatening, requires immediate medical attention.
To prevent the spread of germs and infections, the Ministry of Health and Human Services encourages everyone to:
• Wash your hands properly and frequently especially after using the toilet and changing a diaper and before eating and preparing foods. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer. Note: hand sanitizer is not a substitute for washing hands with soap and water.
• Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and cook shellfish thoroughly before eating them.
• Keep your environment clean and surfaces disinfected with a bleach and water solution.
• Avoid sick persons. If caring for a sick person, keep them isolated, clean and disinfect contaminated areas and thoroughly wash soiled laundry.
To this end the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services advises all parents and Guardians of children experiencing Gastroenteritis not to be alarm, the Environmental Health Department on North Caicos is working with the schools to ensure that the required deep cleaning is conducted.
