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Health inspectors will be out in full force in the coming days, as Barbados experiences a spike in gastroenteritis cases.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. The Most Honourable Kenneth George, whose announcement coincides with World Health Day, says this will be part of the strategy by the Ministry of Health to contain the surge.
Just yesterday it was revealed the island recorded 312 cases in the first 13 weeks of this year, compared to 42 cases for the corresponding period in 2022.
Dr. George has made it clear that the health inspectors have the power to destroy food or take other tough measures to protect the public from any food bourne illness.
The CMO says businesses and food handlers must have their health certificate as proof that their operations are safe for consumers and he warns this is just scratching the surface.
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach and intestine.
Symptoms may include diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
If you do experience symptoms, you are being urged to hydrate and if those symptoms worsen, seek medical attention.
