AN OUTBREAK of gastro-enteritis has left eight people dead within the last two weeks. The condition, otherwise called 'running belly', has especially sprung up in children living in South Eastern Jamaica.
As a result, the Ministry of Health has warned against the use of anti-diarrhoeal (such as Pepto Bismol) and anti-emetic medication in children. It said the relief caused by these medicines may delay proper treatment and result in serious consequences "including death".
According to the Ministry, surveillance reports have indicated an increase in gastro-enteritis cases in St. Catherine, Kingston and St. Andrew and St. Thomas.
"Investigations have so far indicated that rotavirus is the cause of the current outbreak of gastro-enteritis," the Health Ministry said in a statement yesterday.
SEASONAL DIARRHOEA
The rotavirus germ causes seasonal diarrhoea in infants and young children and is one of the most common causes of gastro-enteritis in children three months to two years old. Symptoms of a rotavirus infection include fever, nausea, vomiting, and watery diarrhoea. The rotavirus germ is usually present in faeces and droplets and can be transmitted through food or person-to-person contact.
"Therefore everyone should take special precaution in washing hands after using the toilet, handling diapers, before and after handling food and having meals. Safe, clean water should be used for washing fruits and vegetables and in the general preparation of food and drink," the Health Ministry said.
"This is cause for great concern as the increased cases of gastro-enteritis caused by the rotavirus is unusual at this time of year and so too
are deaths from the
condition," Director of Family Health Services Dr. Karen Lewis-Bell said yesterday.
The concern was reiterated by Director of
the Health Ministry's Health Protection and Promotion division, Dr. Deanna Ashley, who, speaking on Power 106 news and current affairs programme 'Nationwide', said the more common form of gastro-enteritis at this time of year is caused by bacteria and not the rotavirus. The Ministry will be investigating the cause of the unusual occurrence.
Dr. Ashley also pointed out that children showing symptoms of gastro-enteritis should be given fluids once the diarrhoea starts in an effort to "stay ahead of the game". Those fluids, which are to assist in preventing dehydration, can include clean plain water, coconut water, mint tea, lemonade and diluted juices. Sweet drinks may aggravate the diarrhoea.
