Turks and Caicos, September 20, 2024 – As schools and day-care centres across the community welcome children back, the Ministry of Health and Human Services is encouraging parents and educators to stay alert for cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD). To date, 16 cases of HFMD have been identified in school-aged children on the island of Providenciales between July and September 2024. HFMD is a common viral illness that typically affects young children under the age of 5 years but can affect anyone. While HFMD is generally mild, it spreads quickly in environments such as classrooms and playgrounds where kids are in close contact. This is why it is important for families and schools to take simple, effective steps to help prevent the spread of the virus.

HFMD is caused by a group of viruses, most commonly the Coxsackievirus. Parents and caregivers should keep an eye out for these symptoms:

1. Fever
2. Mouth sores – small, red spots inside the mouth that can be painful
3. Skin rash – often on the hands, feet, and buttocks
4. Sore throat
5. Loss of appetite
6. Irritability – particularly in infants and toddlers

Although most children recover fully within a week or so, HFMD can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, lead to dehydration if eating or drinking becomes painful.

The virus can be passed from one person to another through:

1. Close contact with infected bodily fluids like saliva, mucus, or stool.
2. Touching contaminated surfaces and toys.
3. Droplets in the air when someone sneezes or coughs.

This is why schools, day-care centres, and playgrounds are high-risk environments.

Here are some practical tips to help stop the spread of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease:

1. Frequent Handwashing:  Regular handwashing with soap and water is one of the best ways to prevent HFMD. Children should wash their hands after using the bathroom, before eating, and after playing outdoors. Teachers and caregivers can help by making handwashing a regular part of the day.
2. Clean and Disinfect Surfaces: Toys, countertops, and doorknobs should be cleaned and disinfected regularly, especially in shared spaces like classrooms and play areas.
3. Avoid Close Contact:   If your child has symptoms of HFMD, it is essential to keep them home from school or daycare. Allowing them time to rest at home prevents the virus from spreading to other children. Make sure they stay at home until their fever has gone down and their sores have healed.
4. Practice Good Hygiene Habits: Teach children to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing. Remind them not to share utensils, cups, or personal items with others.
5. Stay Hydrated: If your child has mouth sores, drinking fluids can be difficult, but staying hydrated is important. Offer soothing drinks like cold water or milk to help them stay comfortable.

In most cases, HFMD will clear up on its own within 7 to 10 days. Treatment is for symptoms. Take paracetamol (NOT ASPIRIN) to help soothe the sore mouth or throat.  Avoid hot, spicy or salty food. Antibiotics are not needed.

However, if your child is having trouble swallowing, shows signs of dehydration (such as not urinating much), or has a high fever that lasts more than a couple of days, it is time to consult your healthcare provider. By monitoring symptoms, practising good hygiene, and staying informed, we can all help reduce the spread of HFMD. Working together, parents, schools, and day-care centres can ensure that children stay healthy and continue to enjoy a safe learning environment.

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

Turks and Caicos, September 14, 2024 – The Environmental Health Department is calling on all residents and community members to take proactive steps to prevent rodent infestations in their homes and neighbourhoods. Rodents, such as rats and mice, are not only a nuisance but can also spread serious diseases and cause property damage. By following a few simple guidelines, we can work together to keep our community healthy and safe.

Here are some key steps residents can take to prevent rodent problems:

1. Keep Areas Clean and Clutter-Free:Rodents thrive in cluttered environments. Regularly remove piles of trash, leaves, and debris from your yard. Pay attention to overgrown vegetation and make sure to trim it back, as it can provide hiding spots for rodents. Also, clean up fallen fruits from trees, which can attract rodents seeking food.
2. Store Food Properly:Keep food items in sealed containers and ensure garbage bins have tight-fitting lids. Rodents are attracted to easily accessible food, so reducing food sources is essential.
3. Eliminate Water Sources:Fix any leaks and remove standing water around your property. Rodents need water to survive, so by eliminating these water sources, you make your home less inviting to them.
4. Seal Entry Points:Inspect your home for holes or cracks in walls, doors, windows, and foundations. Seal these openings to prevent rodents from finding their way inside. Even small gaps can be entry points, so thorough inspection and repair are necessary.

The Environmental Health Department urges residents to remain vigilant and report any signs of rodent activity. Common indicators include droppings, gnaw marks, and scratching noises. If you suspect a rodent infestation, contact a pest control professional or the Environmental Health Department for assistance.

By taking these simple steps, including maintaining tidy yards, managing food and water sources, and sealing potential entry points, residents can protect their homes and communities from rodent infestations.

For more information on rodent prevention or to report a rodent problem, please contact the Environmental Health Department at (649) 338-2143/2144. Let’s work together to create a healthier, safer community!

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 13 September 2024: Following our previous report on an outbreak of gastroenteritis in Grand Turk, the Ministry of Health and Human Services can confirm the results of the samples tested from affected individuals by the National Public Health Laboratory. Samples tested returned five positive for norovirus and one positive for E. coli.

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus which causes diarrhea and vomiting. Most persons with norovirus recover after 1-3 days.

Signs and symptoms

A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after exposure to norovirus.

• Most common symptoms: diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain
• Other symptoms: Fever, headache, and body aches

Dehydration

If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill, and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration (loss of body fluids), especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. Symptoms of dehydration include:

• Decreased urination
• Dry mouth and throat
• Feeling dizzy when standing up
• Crying with few or no tears
• Unusual sleepiness or fussiness

 Who is at risk

Anyone can get infected and sick with norovirus, and people of all ages can get infected during norovirus outbreaks.

Children younger than 5 years old, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe infections.

How it spreads

Norovirus spreads very easily and quickly in different ways but primarily occurs through the fecal-oral route. You can get norovirus by:

• Having direct contact with someone with norovirus, like caring for them, sharing food or eating utensils with them, or eating food handled by them.
• Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus.
• Touching contaminated objects or surfaces and putting your unwashed fingers in your mouth.

You can still spread norovirus for two weeks or more after you feel better.

Prevention

Norovirus is very contagious, but you can take steps to protect yourself and others, including:

• Wash your hands well and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially:
• After using the toilet or changing diapers.
• Before eating, preparing, or handling food.
• You can use hand sanitisers in addition to hand washing, but hand sanitiser is not a substitute for handwashing, which is best.
• Cook shellfish thoroughly and wash fruits and vegetables.
• Do not prepare, handle food, or care for others when you are sick.
• Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.

After someone vomits or has diarrhea, always clean well and disinfect the entire area immediately.

• Wear rubber or disposable gloves, wipe the entire area with paper towels, and throw the towels in a plastic trash bag.
• Disinfect the area as directed on the product label.
• To disinfect, use a chlorine bleach solution with a concentration of 1,000 to 5,000 ppm (5 to 25 tablespoons of household bleach [5% to 8%] per gallon of water) or use an EPA-registered disinfecting product against norovirus.
• Leave bleach disinfectant on the affected area for at least 5 minutes.
• Clean the entire area again with soap and hot water.
• Wash laundry in hot water.
• Stay home when sick. Once symptoms stop, stay home for an additional 2 days (48 hours).

 Treatment and recovery

Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days. There is no specific medicine to treat people with norovirus illness. Antibiotic drugs will not help treat norovirus infections because they fight bacteria, not viruses.

Watch for dehydration

Watch for signs of dehydration (loss of body fluids) in children who have norovirus illness. Children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.

Drink plenty of liquids

If you have norovirus illness, you should drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost from vomiting and diarrhea. This will help prevent dehydration.

Sports drinks and other drinks without caffeine or alcohol can help with mild dehydration. However, these drinks may not replace important nutrients and minerals. Oral rehydration fluids that you can get over the counter are most helpful for mild dehydration.

Seek medical care for severe dehydration.

 Dehydration can lead to serious problems. Severe dehydration may require hospitalisation for treatment with fluids given through your vein (intravenous or IV fluids). If you think you or someone you are caring for is severely dehydrated, visit your healthcare provider.

The Minister of Health and Human Services, Honourable Shaun D. Malcolm, wishes to advise the general public that the Ministry of Health will continue to work diligently to not only reduce but to stem the spread of the Norovirus outbreak.  He stated that he is confident that the Public Health Team is more than capable to manage the outbreak and encourages the general public to do its part.

 For additional information, please call 649-338-5469 or visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.