COSTA RICA NEWS – La Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) continues its alert for an increase in cases of people with diarrhea seeking treatment at health centres across the country.
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n the first week of May, epidemiological week seventeen of the year, some 114.000 people were reported sick, increasing more than 125.000 cases last week. This is an almost 10% increase over the same period in 2013.
Epidemiologist, Dr. Elenita Ramírez Salas, explained that the peak occurred two weeks earlier than expected, with the start of the rainy season.
Dehydration is a main concern and children and the elderly are most vulnerable. The Dr. suggests that a healthy regimen of constant hand washing is a good preventive measure.
Dr. Ramirez said that a health diet of fruit juices, water, rice and starchy food such as potatoes, helps with the diarrhea.