Another increase in gastrointestinal illnesses reported

Health officials are reporting another increase in the cases of gastrointestinal illnesses on island.

The uptick in cases in people older than five years moved from 27 in the week prior to April 27, to 34 cases at the end of that week.

Previously, there were only 11 cases recorded.

The alert level for this age group, at this time of the year, is less than six cases.

In children under five years old, the number of cases has moved from two to eight, for the week ending April 27.

As a result, the Ministry of Health and Wellness is urging members of the public to employ proper hand hygiene methods and to vet food handlers before purchasing food.

The Ministry is reporting for the subset of cases tested, bacterial and viral foodborne pathogens have been identified, but no single source or event has been linked to the majority of cases.

A moderate increase in respiratory illnesses has also been noted in people over five years old, during the week ending April 27.

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