Health ministry vigilant as gastroenteritis cases increase

Jovan Johnson, Gleaner Writer



The health ministry says Public Health nurses have intensified health education and investigations following a spike in the number of gastroenteritis cases.



According to the Ministry, up to the end of April, there was a 52 per cent increase in the number of gastroenteritis cases compared with the similar period last year.



The ministry says the largest jump was in the last week of April when 965 cases were reported, compared with 522 for the last week of April 2012.



According to the ministry, the situation is worse in the Corporate Area with Kingston 11 and 13 reporting the most incidents.



The Ministry is encouraging Jamaicans to take the necessary precaution against the virus.



Symptoms of gastroenteritis include vomiting and loose stools.



The Ministry is advising people to wash their hands, boil drinking water and use clean utensils as control measures.



Persons who suspect that they have gastroenteritis are advised to drink lots of fluids and visit the nearest health facility if symptoms persist.



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