Public health authorities are stepping up their surveillance of food establishments across Barbados as the country battles a significant outbreak in the highly-infectious gastroenteritis disease.
Expressing concern at cases which have increased some seven-fold between the end of January and March this year, when compared to the same period last year, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) The Most Honourable Dr Kenneth George is pleading with Barbadians not to take any chances.
“We have surveillance systems for gastroenteritis and this is how we know what is happening. Our surveillance systems have indicated that there has been an uptick not only in the public sector, but also in the private sector. This public health issue is becoming a concern,” Dr George told Barbados TODAY on Thursday.
“The Ministry of Health has been observing over the last two to three months an increase in the number of cases of gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is an infectious and inflammatory disease of the bowels and it may include the stomach and the intestine, and the symptoms tend to be vomiting and diarrhea. Gastroenteritis is caused mainly by bacterial and viral infection,” he explained.
With cases reaching 312 so far this year as compared to 42 for the corresponding period in 2022, the Government’s chief medical advisor said while tests have not identified any single source or event for the illness, foodborne pathogens have been seen in some areas. He also noted that no corresponding increase in respiratory diseases has been identified during the past several months.
“What I will say is that we have done the appropriate culture of specimen, and that has indicated that there is no particular one organism or no particular point source for the infection. Therefore, we will continue to monitor the situation,” the CMO stated.
There were 19 reported cases at the end of January this year and 47 at the end of March.
“Gastroenteritis is a preventable public health disease. This is the time when people are preparing a lot of food and selling a lot of food…they need to be particularly vigilant to ensure that infections are not increasing,” Dr George advised.
The CMO had a special message for people who prepare food, especially those in public spaces.
“First, handwashing is critical to prevent infection. Remember these infections are termed faeco-oral…there is contamination of the food that we eat…and that leads to the multiplication of bacteria and the presentation of symptoms. Raw foods should not be mixed with cooked foods. There should not be any cross-contamination between raw foods and cooked foods,” he pointed out.
The CMO also urged food handlers to pay special attention to the cleanliness of their utensils and the equipment on which the foods are prepared.
“In addition, the rule of thumb is that hot foods are kept hot and cold foods are kept cold. Cold foods should be maintained at a temperature of no less than 40 degrees fahrenheit and hot foods should be maintained at a temperature of above 140 degrees fahrenheit. If it is not done in this way and the foods are left for a period of time, the multiplication of the bacteria in the foods becomes higher.
“You have to be more careful that when food is particularly on the outside and waiting to be served, it needs to be kept at the appropriate temperature,” the CMO recommended.
He also warned people who prepare food they must have a health certificate and if preparation is done in a restaurant, that establishment needs to have a licence as required by law.
Dr George also appealed to people who contract gastro to report to any polyclinic or their private physician for guidance on the most appropriate actions to be taken.
“Many times antibiotic medicines are not required for gastroenteritis. On most occasions, antibiotics are not required. Persons need to maintain their hydration, and try to stay away from milk products and very greasy or oily foods,” he stated.
Dr George noted that while children under five years of age have contracted the illness, most of the cases have occurred in people over five.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb
