Gastroenteritis alert

The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the public of an increase in the reported cases of gastroenteritis.

Gastroenteritis is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is caused by eating foods or drinking water which is contaminated by a bacteria or virus.

Lack of or improper hand washing, especially after using the toilet or handling of dirty diapers can cause the spread of Gastro Enteritis from one person to another.

Symptoms of gastroenteritis are:

– Vomiting
– Abdominal pain
– Diarrhea
– Upset stomach
– Stomach cramps

Gastroenteritis can be prevented by following these simple steps:

– Always wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before handling or preparing food
– If no water is available clean hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer
– Keep foods at the correct temperature ( cold foods should be kept cold and hot foods kept hot)
– If you or a family member has symptoms of Gastroenteritis:
– Drinks lots of Water or fluids
– Give children Oral Rehydration fluids as directed by your health care provider

This condition is preventable and can be easily treated. However to avoid complications of Gastroenteritis seek medical care if symptoms continue or get worse.

Please take a small amount of stool i na clean wide screwcap container to your health center or doctor.

REMEMBER YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!

For more information contact the Health Information Unit (Dr. Ahmed) 266 2150 / 266 3458 or the Health Promotion Unit at 2663469/3470.

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9 Comments

  1. angel
    December 15, 2011

    this all over all the Caribbean island be being affected proper hygiene is the only way to prevent this illness

  2. Anonymous
    December 14, 2011

    my dominicans do wat is right and stop this desease

  3. me
    December 14, 2011

    I feel as if this might get worse after they finish laying down the new water pipeline and turn it on, for several times I have seen the pipes just sitting there on the ground with both ends or even just one end open, which is just a happy invitation for varmints and dirt to get inside and leave plenty of filthy bacteria.

  4. December 14, 2011

    WASH HANDS WITH SOAP AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE,KEEP FOODS COVERED,WASH VEGETABLE AND FRUITS AS MOST AS POSSIBLE ,DO NOT EAT FROM THE SAME PLATES NOR DRINK FROM THE SAME GLASS WITH OTHERS ,WASH CLOTHES SEPARATELY ., DRINK A LOT OF WATER OR TEA WITHOUT MILK IN ORDER TO PREVENT DEHYDRATION.
    CLEANLINESS AS MOST AS POSSIBLE

  5. John Paul
    December 14, 2011

    So Many times I see grups of Guys jumping the fence at the Dowasco intake Antrim River (Labelled “Springfield River ” By the Road contractor )I dont know why they going in there I suspect to bathe in the Basin that collecting the water to pipe down to the West coast .We need security at our water intakes !

  6. ANTICOME 2
    December 14, 2011

    KEEP ALL UTENSILS USED IN THE KITCHEN AWAY FROM FLIES, GASTROENTERITIS CAN ALSO BE SPREAD BY FLIES…COVER UP!!!!

  7. CHARMER
    December 13, 2011

    Look at the steps to be taken, and you visit the hospital and health centers and no soap or hand sanitiZers are available for public use. How about that.

  8. my boy
    December 13, 2011

    upset stomach
    diarrhea
    PEPTO BISMOL

    • lol
      December 14, 2011

      is dertt!!!

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