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The Centre for Health protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of gastroenteritis involving five patients and three health care workers in Kowloon Hospital today (March 17).
The eight affected persons, aged between 28 and 90, came from the same rehabilitation ward. They developed symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting between March 14 and 17.
They are all in stable condition. Stool samples will be collected for laboratory examination.
A CHP spokesman said this was the second gastroenteritis outbreak in the hospital this month. An earlier outbreak of gastroenteritis involving 11 patients and 2 health care workers in another ward occurred between March 12 and 16.
The affected in-patients of the first outbreak are all female aged between 50 and 98. They are in stable condition. Stool samples collected are positive for norovirus. Laboratory investigation for possible linkage between the two outbreaks and medical surveillance of the staff and patients of the wards concerned are on-going.
The hospital has also stepped up infection control measures in the wards.
The spokesman said viral gastroenteritis is more common in winter months.
"Infection can be transmitted via food or water contaminated with virus, contact with vomitus or faeces from infected persons contaminated objects, and by aerosol spread."
To prevent viral gastroenteritis, members of the public are advised to observe the following measures:
* Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating and after going to toilets and handling vomitus or faecal matter;
* Wear gloves while disposing of vomitus and faeces, and wash hands afterwards;
* Clean and disinfect contaminated areas and items promptly and thoroughly with household bleach diluted in a ratio 1 in 49 units of water;
* Sick students should rest at home and not go to school;
* Maintain good indoor ventilation;
* Eat only thoroughly cooked food particularly seafood and shellfish.
Members of the public can obtain advice on the prevention of viral gastroenteritis at CHP website (http://www.chp.gov.hk), or by calling the Central Education Unit Hotline at 2833 0111.
Ends/Friday, March 17, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:24
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