Barbados has reported an increase in gastrointestinal cases, prompting health authorities to urge the public to adhere to strict hygiene practices, such as regular handwashing, to curb the spread.
Rising cases across age groups
The Ministry of Health and Wellness reported that cases among individuals older than five years increased from 27 to 34 during the week ending April 27.
Comparatively, only 11 cases had been recorded previously. The alert level for this age group at this time of year is typically below six.
Among children under five, cases also saw an uptick, rising from just two to eight for the same week.
Foodborne pathogens identified, source unknown
Investigations revealed that several foodborne pathogens were responsible for a subset of cases, though no singular source or event could be linked to the majority of infections.
Importance of hand hygiene
The Ministry emphasized that practicing good hand hygiene is crucial in reducing the spread of bacterial and viral illnesses.
Recommended measures include washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and drying them with disposable tissues. If soap and water are unavailable, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is advised.
Food handling and safety advice
To further minimize the risk of illness, the Ministry urged individuals purchasing food to ensure that vendors follow proper handling practices.
These include protecting food from flies and other pests, using appropriate utensils, and maintaining correct temperature controls for hot and cold items.
Increase in respiratory illnesses
Alongside the gastrointestinal outbreak, authorities also observed a moderate increase in respiratory illnesses among people over five years old during the week ending April 27.
