Gastroenteritis alert; one suspected death under investigation - MOHW | Loop Jamaica - Loop News Jamaica

The Ministry of Health and Wellness urges the nationalist to instrumentality measures to forestall gastroenteritis (GE) and to question attraction aboriginal to debar superior complications.

"This follows 1 suspected lawsuit of GE death, which is present being investigated. GE causes irritation and inflammation of the tummy and intestines, resulting successful diarrhoea (running belly) and/or vomitting," a merchandise from the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW),  said.

Both adults and children tin declaration GE done bacteria, viruses oregon parasites successful contaminated oregon spoiled food, unclean h2o oregon soiled hands. GE tin origin death, particularly successful young children due to the fact that of dehydration (losing excessively overmuch fluid).

Symptoms of GE see diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and an upset stomach. The affected idiosyncratic whitethorn besides acquisition headaches, fever and abdominal cramps oregon tummy aches.

Meanwhile, information from the Ministry’s National Surveillance Unit shows that though play 2022 figures person been higher than the erstwhile year, the lawsuit figures for the intestinal corruption are not unusual.

The Surveillance Unit reports that for 2022, it recorded an mean visitation of 107 children nether 5 years aged to facilities crossed the land and 31 specified visits successful 2021.

The Ministry is urging caution arsenic cases of GE are expected to summation successful the cooler months of the year. Parents and caregivers are particularly advised to wage attraction to their children.

"Medication should not beryllium utilized to halt diarrhoea oregon vomiting. Instead, oral rehydration fluid (ORF) should beryllium utilized to regenerate the h2o and peculiar substances that are mislaid arsenic a effect of diarrhoea and/or vomiting," the MOHW said.

Children should ingest ORF until their information improves though the attraction volition not halt or

shorten the people of diarrhoea.

“If a kid is breastfed, proceed breastfeeding frequently. Other fluids, specified arsenic coconut water, diluted effect juices, arsenic good arsenic plain water, tin besides beryllium given. Do not springiness saccharine drinks,” said Dr. Webster-Kerr, Acting Chief Medical Officer(CMO).

“If the symptoms bash not improve, sojourn your wellness attraction provider,” the acting CMO