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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 25) reminded members of the public and management of institutions to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent gastroenteritis caused by norovirus infection.
The appeal was made following the CHP's investigation of a gastroenteritis outbreak affecting 29 residents and six staff members in an elderly home in Yuen Long.
Those affected -- 10 men and 25 women aged 33 to 94 -- have presented with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including diarrhoea and vomiting, since January 17.
Of them, 30 consulted general practitioners or a community geriatric assessment team (CGAT), while four attended the Emergency and Accident Department of Tuen Mun Hospital and all of them were admitted. All the affected are in a stable condition.
Preliminary laboratory results showed two stool samples tested positive for norovirus, a common cause of viral gastroenteritis.
Staff of the CHP have conducted field visits to the elderly home. Health instructions were provided to the staff concerning proper disinfection, proper disposal of vomit and faeces, as well as personal and food hygiene. The staff were also reminded to be on the lookout for symptoms of viral gastroenteritis among residents and to report any suspected cases to the CHP.
The CHP will closely monitor the elderly home for further cases and provide health advice as necessary.
A spokesman for the CHP said that viral gastroenteritis caused by norovirus is usually self-limiting (does not need treatment) with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, slight fever and malaise. The symptoms may last for 24 to 48 hours.
The spokesman said the public should be vigilant as noroviral gastroenteritis has entered the peak season in Hong Kong as winter was historically the peak season for norovirus outbreaks. Good personal, food and environmental hygiene are of paramount importance in preventing norovirus outbreaks in institutional settings.
To prevent the spread of viral gastroenteritis, the public should observe the following precautions:
* Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating and after using the toilet;
* Wear gloves when disposing of vomit and faeces and wash hands afterwards;
* Clean and disinfect contaminated areas and items promptly and thoroughly with household bleach diluted to a ratio of 1 in 49 units of water;
* maintain good indoor ventilation;
* Make sure that food, particularly seafood and shellfish, is cooked thoroughly.
For more information on the disease, members of the public may visit the CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Thursday, January 25, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:06
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