Health authorities monitor gastroenteritis cases across several Azorean islands

By 26 August, the Azores Health Authority had recorded more cases of acute gastroenteritis than would normally be expected at this time of year. The situation involves increased reports of vomiting and diarrhoea on several islands, and health services are monitoring how transmission develops.

Laboratory testing identified norovirus on São Miguel and Faial. In Ponta Delgada, intestinal bacteria including Salmonella and Campylobacter were also detected on an occasional basis, reinforcing the need for good hygiene and safe food preparation and storage.

There are, however, signs of improvement in parts of the archipelago. Norovirus transmission is falling on Faial, where the outbreak began, and on Flores. On Terceira, daily case volumes at the Hospital de Santo Espírito and in Praia da Vitória have dropped compared with the week’s peak.

The Regional Health Authority says the situation is not a cause for alarm, while continuing to follow the cases. For residents, visitors and businesses in food service and accommodation, the episode highlights the importance of basic hygiene measures, particularly handwashing and careful food handling, during a period of high movement between the islands.