WESTMORELAND, Jamaica—Residents of Westmoreland are being urged to strengthen hygiene practices, following an increase in gastroenteritis across the parish.

Medical Officer of Health for Westmoreland, Dr Marcia Graham, reported that the condition is the only major illness currently trending upwards.

“Last week we saw 140 per cent increase in cases of gastroenteritis,” she disclosed, while addressing the monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation in Savanna-la-Mar on April 9.

She noted that while several communicable diseases are on the decline, the spike in gastroenteritis is a cause for concern.

“Good news is that most of our diseases have been on a downward trend… our flu is trending down… our dengue, we are having very few suspected cases,” she outlined.

Graham emphasised that simple preventive measures can help to curb the spread of the illness.

“We are encouraging persons [to practise] proper hand washing and food hygiene. Healthy practices can help us to reverse this upward trend,” she outlined, adding that public cooperation will be critical in bringing the situation under control.

In the meantime, Graham also warned residents to guard against unsafe household practices that could result in accidental poisoning among children.

Graham cautioned against the practice of storing hazardous chemicals in containers that may be attractive to children.

“Please don’t store these dangerous chemicals in attractive drinks bottles that will attract our younger ones to it,” she underscored, further highlighting the importance of close supervision.

“You know they are very mobile. You turn your back, and [chemicals are] down their throat,” Graham said.

Residents are being urged to adopt safer storage practices, while reinforcing hygiene behaviours to protect public health.

-JIS