Health Ministry records spike in gastro cases

Health officials have reported an increase in gastrointestinal illnesses, especially among children, suggesting the spike is being driven by a viral cause.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness also noted increased cases of diarrhoeal illness in adults during the first week of February, 2026.

The uptick in cases has led the Ministry to urge both operators of day care facilities and food handlers to put strict hand hygiene and sanitisation measures in place to prevent further spread of the illness. The Ministry has emphasised that good hand hygiene is the most effective way of reducing the transmission of gastrointestinal illness and many other viral and bacterial illnesses.

The increase of gastro cases in persons under five years old moved from one case in the week ending February 7, 2026, to eight cases in the week ending February 14, as well as the week ending February 28.  Any number over three cases per week for this age group is a concern to health officials.

Additionally, outbreaks have been identified in a few day care situations. Norovirus has been detected in some of the submitted diarrhoeal samples. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes usually short-lived but vigorous vomiting and diarrhoea and may result in dehydration in infected persons.

Operators of child care services are being urged to ensure proper hand hygiene methods for staff and children in their care. And, members of the public, especially those who handle or prepare food for others, are also advised to employ proper hand hygiene methods.

Hand hygiene includes washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and drying them with disposable tissue. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitiser may be used, although it may be less effective in killing the virus.

In addition to washing hands regularly with soap and water, stringent cleaning of surfaces, followed by sanitisation with diluted bleach solutions is recommended.

Hand hygiene and sanitisation measures for children:

• Children with diarrhoea should be monitored for signs of dehydration which may include less urine, dry mouth, less tears when crying, excessive thirst or lethargy. 
• If vomiting is persistent, caregivers should seek medical assistance.
• Children who have vomiting and/or diarrhoea should be kept away from school or nursery until at least 48 hours after the diarrhoea has ceased.  
• The toys and utensils touched by affected persons should also be washed and sanitised.  

Hand hygiene and sanitisation measures for food handlers:

• Vendors should keep their hands clean and protect food from flies and other vectors.
• Use suitable utensils to touch food and maintain hot or cold items at the appropriate temperatures.
• Persons with vomiting and/or diarrhoea should stay away from work until at least 48 hours after the diarrhoea has ceased.

Persons are also advised to keep unwashed hands away from the eyes, nose and mouth; and to generally avoid touching these areas as germs can enter the body that way. (Ministry of Health and Wellness)

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