Health authorities have issued a public advisory after a sharp rise in gastrointestinal illnesses among Barbadian children under five, with laboratory tests confirming the presence of norovirus — the highly contagious “winter vomiting bug” — in several samples.
Known primarily as Norovirus, the stomach virus that causes vomiting and diarrhoea and is the leading cause of gastroenteritis.
Cases among children in that age group rose from one case in the week ending February 7 to eight cases in both the weeks ending February 14 and February 28, according to ministry figures.
The experts noted that any number above three cases per week for this age group is considered a concern.
Outbreaks have also been identified in a few daycare settings.
“Norovirus has been detected in some of the submitted diarrhoeal samples,” the ministry said in a statement, noting that the virus is highly contagious and can cause “usually short-lived but vigorous vomiting and diarrhoea” that may lead to dehydration.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George told Barbados TODAY the increase is being closely monitored but stressed that such illnesses are not unusual and that public health systems are designed to detect them early.
“From time to time there will be outbreaks of infectious disease, whether it be gastroenteritis, respiratory disease, or other issues like dengue fever,” Dr George said. “The purpose of public health is to identify the initial cases early and to prevent spread.”
The ministry issued the advisory to alert the public and provide guidance on how to prevent transmission, he said.
“What we have noticed recently is that there has been an uptick in gastroenteritis in children under five,” Dr George noted. “We’ve had a few instances of outbreaks in nursery schools and among very young kids.”
Norovirus, he added, spreads easily through contaminated food, surfaces or close contact.
“It’s a foodborne-type illness. This one is viral. Occasionally it could be bacterial, and it is spread usually from human to human by cross-contamination of food,” he said.
Because of the virus’s highly contagious nature, the ministry is urging strict hygiene practices, particularly in places where food is prepared or where young children gather.
“Norovirus is highly contagious and difficult to eradicate,” George said, adding that surfaces and utensils used in food preparation should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
He advised that areas where food is handled should be carefully sanitised using bleach or other effective disinfectants to help eliminate the virus.
Environmental health officers are also conducting routine surveillance and inspections as part of the public health response.
“That happens all the time. That’s the purpose of public health,” Dr George said. “We are always doing surveillance, trying to scan the health landscape of Barbados.”
He added that the ministry routinely shares relevant health information with partners across the health sector.
Despite the increase in cases, the Chief Medical Officer stressed that there is no need for schools or daycare centres to close.
“There are very few public health issues that require closure of schools,” he said. “There’s no rational reason why you should close a school because of vomiting and diarrhoea.”
Instead, he urged parents to take responsibility by keeping children at home if they are sick.
“That’s how you prevent the spread,” he added.
The ministry is also advising operators of daycare facilities and those who handle or prepare food to practise strict hand hygiene and sanitation.
This includes washing hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and drying them with disposable tissue. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitisers may be used, although they may be less effective against norovirus.
Food vendors are also encouraged to maintain proper food-safety practices by protecting food from flies and other vectors, using suitable utensils when handling food and ensuring hot and cold items are stored at appropriate temperatures.
Parents and caregivers are being urged to monitor children with diarrhoea for signs of dehydration, including reduced urination, dry mouth, fewer tears when crying, excessive thirst or lethargy. Medical attention should be sought if vomiting persists.
Children experiencing vomiting or diarrhoea should remain away from school or nursery for at least 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
Similarly, adults — particularly those involved in food preparation — are advised to stay away from work until at least 48 hours after diarrhoea has ceased.
The Ministry of Health said these precautions remain the most effective way of limiting the spread of the illness.
“The Ministry of Health and Wellness encourages members of the public to take all measures possible to safeguard their health and the health of their children,” the statement said.
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