THE island’s director of public health has raised his concern that cases of the sickness bug norovirus could increase as schools re-open for the start of term today (Monday).
Dr Parameswaran Kishore is urging parents to take precautions to ensure that the spread is reduced.
‘My real worry at this stage is normally norovirus virality reduces around Christmas time with schools being shut,’ he said.
‘But with schools opening on Monday cases will start increasing as people go in and pick up the virus there.’
He urged parents not to send their children to school if they showed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea.
And they should not return to school until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
He said: ‘I understand it’s difficult for parents to take two days off to look after children who are perfectly well.
‘In the past we have had to close one or two schools, and that affects all parents then.’
In addition, good hygiene, in particular, thorough hand washing is essential.
Dr Kishore said in the UK reported cases of norovirus increased by 72 per cent from 2011 to 2012. And he said it was estimated that for every confirmed case, there were 288 unrecorded ones.
He said that while norovirus figures were unreliable in the island as most people did not seek medical attention, it was clear there had been ‘a lot more’ cases last year than in previous years.
Dr Kishore said the rise was due to the ‘virulence’ of the stomach bug, saying: ‘It’s very easily transmitted.’