The Ministry of Health says there has been a moderate increase in the number of gastro-enteritis cases for the period May 19-June 16, when compared to the same period last year.

"It has been noted that there have also been increases in the number of cases reported over the two-week period, June 9-16, from the parishes of St. Catherine, Trelawny, Westmoreland and St. James, compared with the preceding weeks of this year," the Health Ministry said in a release yesterday.

The ministry said the cause of the increase is still being investigated. "A few pathogens (rotavirus and salmonella B) have been isolated from specimens taken from affected persons, but there has been no clearly established pattern, in relation to any specific organism, for the cause of the increase," said the Health Ministry.