BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Health authorities say that over the past few weeks several adults and children in St. Kitts-Nevis have been diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis (AGE), a common infectious disease syndrome marked by irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
They gave no figures regarding the number of people confirmed with AGE, but said it causes a combination of fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea and is caused by many infectious agents or germs. However, the most common cause is a virus, but it can be caused by bacteria.
The authorities said that laboratory results have already revealed two cases of norovirus (NOV) within the period July to September and that based on epidemiological information, norovirus is the probable cause of this uptick in AGE cases.
They said norovirus can only be confirmed through laboratory testing and that late last month, samples were sent off from the government laboratory to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for analysis.
The Office of the Chief Medical Officer said that norovirus belongs to the Caliciviridae family and is highly contagious and causes the most outbreaks of non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis in all age groups. It causes outbreaks in schools, nursing homes, prisons, hospitals and in other settings.
“The course of this disease is quite rapid with an incubation period of 24 to 48 hours. Affected persons usually experience vomiting and diarrhea for 12 – 60 hours. The signs and symptoms include low-grade fever, malaise, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea,” the Office of the Chief Medical officer warned, adding that dehydration can result if the vomiting and/or diarrhea persist without adequate fluid intake. The symptoms usually last on eto three days.
It said people of all ages can get infected with norovirus through direct contact with an infected person, such as shaking hands with someone whose hands are contaminated with the virus;
Sharing food or eating utensils with an infected person, as well as touching contaminated objects or surfaces and putting unwashed hands in mouths.
The office is recommending that people experiencing symptoms of AGE should stay at home and should only return to school or work 48 hours after symptoms have cleared.
People should also avoid visiting older adults especially if they are in hospital, or nursing homes.
“Treatment of acute gastroenteritis is usually supportive and aimed at avoiding dehydration. Parents are advised to monitor affected children very closely. Parents are advised to seek medical care urgently if your child is under the age of two years regardless of symptoms, and if your child is over two years and has persistent abdominal pain, fever, vomiting and or diarrhea.”
