With an average of 107 children visiting hospitals weekly for gastroenteritis (GE), the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) is urging the public to take precautionary measures to prevent against the intestinal infection.
There has been one suspected case of GE death which the MOHW is still investigating, and the National Surveillance Unit has indicated that the weekly 2022 figures are higher than the previous years.
Those experiencing symptoms of GE are being cautioned to seek care early to avoid serious complications.
“Symptoms of GE include diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and upset stomach. The affected person may also experience headache, fever and abdominal cramps or stomach aches,” the MOHW stated in a press release.
Both adults and children can contract GE through bacteria, viruses or parasites in contaminated or spoiled food, unclean water or dirty hands. It can be fatal, especially for young children.