Gastrointestinal infections

While many gastrointestinal infections are relatively mild and self-limiting, they can have significant consequences for human health, especially among vulnerable populations such as the very young, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Good hand hygiene, safe food preparation and appropriate infection prevention and control measures can help reduce the spread of infection.

From a public health perspective, gastrointestinal infections pose several challenges. They can easily spread from person to person through contaminated food, water, or contact with infected individuals, leading to outbreaks in communities or even across regions. These outbreaks can strain healthcare systems and result in economic losses due to illness-related absenteeism and medical expenses. 

Drinking water and health: a guide for public and environmental health professionals and for those in the water industry in Northern Ireland

This document sets out the roles and responsibilities of those organisations involved in the provision and safety of drinking water. It describes the arrangements and protocols in place to monitor compliance with standards and response to emergency or incident situations. It also contains reporting templates to be used by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) and Environmental Health Departments. Click here to access Drinking Water Guidance - Northern Ireland Water. 

Public health measures, such as hygiene education, food safety regulations, and outbreak monitoring, are crucial in preventing the transmission of gastrointestinal infections and safeguarding the health of populations.

The Public Health Agency supports this work through:

• Development of regional outbreak plan
• Review and updating of protocols
• Continuous monitoring of gastrointestinal diseases