Turks & Caicos reassuring visitors despite norovirus
Turks and Caicos officials working to bring virus outbreak to an end.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, Monday June 25, 2012 – The recent outbreak of norovirus that has swept across several hotels on the island of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos over the past few weeks is being brought under control.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board has sent a message to the travelling public that that the outbreak has the full attention of both the Ministry of Health and Education (MOHE) and the Environmental Health Department (EHD).
The tourism authorities also announced that there has been a decline in the number of new cases since the government agencies started collaborating and gaining technical assistance from the Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC) and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO).
“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, the Director of Tourism.
“We want to reassure the travelling public that the destination is safe and ready to welcome all to our shores,” he said in a recent media release.
The tourist board release added that 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 our shores, but it reminded visitors and residents to follow all health and sanitary guidelines promoted by health officials’ especially frequent hand washing with soap and water.
The tourist board also urged anyone experiencing any of the symptoms of gastroenteritis (diarrhea, vomiting and or stomach cramps) to report immediately to local Public Health officials and or a doctor.
The tourism officials stressed that all resorts, restaurants, airports, seaports and auxiliary businesses are open and providing services to residents and visitors alike.
“Our Islands remain open for business, across the length and breadth of our archipelago,” concluded the release. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)