Turks officials working to eradicate virus outbreak

Tourism officials in the Turks and Caicos are advising agents and the travelling public that that the Ministry of Health and Education (MOHE) and the Environmental Health Department (EHD) are continuing their work to address a recent outbreak of norovirus that has been occurring at several hotels on the island of Providenciales. Tourist board officials report that since the commencement of this collaborative work by these government agencies and with technical assistance from the Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC) and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), there has been a decline in the number of new cases. Health authorities and all affected properties are working together in a systematic way to further reduce the spread of norovirus and to eliminate it from the island. In the interim, officials are reminding visitors and residents to follow all health and sanitary guidelines promoted by health officials’ especially frequent hand washing with soap and water. Any symptoms of gastroenteritis (diarrhea, vomiting and or stomach cramps) should be reported to local Public Health officials and/or a doctor. All resorts, restaurants, airports, seaports and auxiliary businesses are open and providing services to residents and visitors alike. “The Turks and Caicos Islands remains an idyllic place for a vacation for all travellers, notwithstanding the difficult past few weeks with the norovirus outbreak that challenged several properties in our country,”said Ralph Higgs, director of tourism. “We want to reassure the travelling public that the destination is safe and ready to welcome all to our shores.”(http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com)