Health officials in Dominica have noted an increased number of persons suffering from diarrhea and are trying to ascertain the cause of the outbreak.
Senior Environmental Health Officer Eric St. Ville told Dominica News Online (DNO) that water has already been ruled out as a possible source of the problem.
“Over the past few weeks we’ve noticed an increased in the number of cases of diarrhoea, what you call gastroenteritis,” he confirmed when contacted by DNO.
“We can almost rule out the water because at Environment Health we have a monitoring programme for the water and over the past week we’ve monitored the water in those areas… we do bacteriological analysis where we test the water for organisms and germs that can cause diarrhoea,” St. Ville disclosed.
According to him, several situations could trigger diarrhea.
“.. .It could be from food, from water, from their hands for example touching stuff. So people could pick up those kinds of organisms from anywhere you know from a door knob,” he explained.
Poor sanitation can also contribute to the spread of gastroenteritis. St. Ville is cautioning persons to be more wary and recommended adopting proper sanitation at home and school – that is washing of hands before handling of foods, adequate cooking of foods as well as sanitary serving of foods.
“If anyone experienced diarrhea symptoms for three soft stools in a 24 hour period, if the person is vulnerable let’s say a child, then the person should have to report to the health facility so they could be examined and monitored. If children have it I don’t think they should be sent to school to prevent that transmission of the diarrhea within the school facility. So people should do a lot of washing of hands, proper cooking of foods,” the health official advised.
stop making this thing bigger than it is. Dominica is not the only place with this outbreak – I am no doctor but like in a previous – WASH YOU HANDS, WASH YOUR HANDS – cannot be stressed enough.
Listen to the health officials while one can WASH YOUR HANDS to help with the situation.
so now is not swine flu..is diarrhoea?weh papa..alas columbus
i wonder wat medical school steve went to!!! Whichever one you went to they would have taught you about gastroenteritis, causes, symptoms, mode of transmission, PREVENTION etc etc so u would not have to be asking about door knobs!! Even our Health care system is not the best I think we are capable enough to handle and outbreak of diarrhoea!! so people, wash ur hands thoroughly, BOIL your water before you drink it, if you do have diarrhoea and vomitting, PLEASE REPORT TO THE NEAREST HEALTH CENTER OR HEALTH FACILITY NEAR YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!! Dont wait until you get dehydrated and weak to come!!!! God Bless you all!!!
Wash your hands people! Eat clean, fresh food,
vomitting accompanies that too
TO Steve,
It’s obvious to me that you are the one who has the narrow mindset. We are well equipped in Dominica to handle a minor increased incidence of Diarrhea. Our medical lab has competent and skilled personnel who are able to isolate organisms from stool which may be the cause of the diarrhea. What you do not understand is that when Mr. St.Ville speaks of bringing in individuals to be examined and monitored, it includes but is not limited to the testing process. Furthermore, educating individuals like yourself about proper hand-washing and touching of door knobs is an attempt by the Ministry of Health to control the spread of the diarrhea. It’s basic!
I am sick and tired of some of you that just cast such negative remarks about Dominica. It’s about time some of you realize how blessed we are in Dominica.
I myself jus hope it pass me straight cuz my stomach cannot take all dat shitting.
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I can tell you that certain produce at the market place is contaminated and needs to be throughly washed and soaked before being eaten otherwise you get loose stools.
Any investigation needs to find the source. Vague assertations that many people are getting diarrhea doesn’t pin anything down. There must be something in common with all these people and cases.
maybe it is a mutated form of the H1N1 VIRUS, some kids also have the flu with it
remember this is the last peak for influenza viruses before winter closes, and it usually spikes with carnival so be prepared. Poeple practice good handwashing technic, food hygiene and stock up on your paracetamols, benadryl, gravol and oral rehydration salts
Hmmm, no wonder….I have it too
WE ARE IN NO POSITION TO HANLE A DISASER IN DOMINICA. ITS ALL ABOUT TALK AND EMPTY PROMSE. THE HEATH DEPARMET SHOULD BE TAKING ABOUT TAKING AND TETING STOOL SAMPLES TO FIGURE OUT THE SOURCE OF DISEASE AND HOW IT CAN BE TREATED. INSTEAD WE ARE TAKING ABOUT TOUCHNG DOOR KNOBS. WE IN DOMINIA NEED TO GET OUT OF THE MINDSET THAT WE DEPEND ON OTHER COUTRIES TO FIGUREOUT THINGS FOR US. LETS BE PRO ACTIVE AND INNOVATIVE AND STOP MAKE THE NEW WITH MORE TALK ASSUMPTIONS AN NO ACTION.