DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TAKES AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS TO PREVENT AND CONTROL GASTROENTERITIS VIRUS AT THREE HOTELS
Santo Domingo, January 27, 2005) -- Actions taken by the Dominican Republic National Commission of Health and Tourism maintain the Gastroenteritis virus is under control in three reported hotels -- Riu Bachata and Riu Merengue in Puerto Plata and the Mambo in Punta Cana. It is expected the measurements will achieve a 100 percent clean up by the end of this week. The initiative has been put forward with the collaboration of the Pan-American Organization of Health and the Dominican Republic Secretary of Public Health.
The National Commission of Health and Tourism, together with the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ASONAHORES) says actions have taken to prevent and control of the virus called "stomach flu" or viral gastroenteritis. People who became ill in the three Dominican Republic hotels have been treated and have recuperated completely within two to three days of treatment.
The "stomach flu" or Gastroenteritis Norovirus presents itself with acute symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain, and could also be accompanied by fever and the dehydration is the most common complication. The symptoms may last for 24 to 60 hours, but in general, the recuperation is immediate. The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta says the risks can be avoided with sanitary measurements like washing of hands, disinfecting all areas contaminated with chlorine and with the right selection of food and drinks.
The National Commission of Health and Tourism explains that other measurements taken at the hotels have resulted in a complete hygiene system consisting of the sterilization of bathrooms, interior and exterior pipes, all rooms, floors, kitchen, bars and restaurants.
The National Commission of Health and Tourism also says that preventative actions taken at the national level guarantee the complete control of the virus in all Dominican Republic hotels and in turn, in the overall health of visitors.
The Government reaffirmed that the viral gastroenteritis could affect people all over the world, since there are reports on recent cases in U.S., Canada and Japan. The virus is a temporary one, for example, in the U.S., the virus "rotavirus" and "astrovirus" have been reported to emerge in the winter months, when the temperatures are the coldest, betweenOctober and April, while the infections of "adenovirus" are presented all year around.
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The scope of this world problem has been evident in the Cruise Line Industry, as noted in recent reports from the International Association of Cruise Lines.
The detected cases in the Dominican Republic have been localized by the National Commission of Health and Tourism with the participation of the Secretary of Health and Tourism and the cooperation of the Hotel Association and the collaboration of the Pan-American Health Organization. The group emphasizes that the number of cases has diminished to the level of safety, thanks to current aggressive actions, measurements and stringent sanitary hygienic control, reflecting the Dominican Republic’s commitment to maintain the country’s reputation as a healthy tourist destination.
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