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The Inter-departmental Co-ordinating Committee on Noroviral Gastroenteritis met today (July 4) to review the latest situation and to map out the territory-wide strategies and control measures.
"Representatives from five government departments and the Hospital Authority agreed on the need to step up surveillance measures and public education in the coming weeks," Chairman of the Committee and Controller of Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection, Dr P Y Leung said.
"During the meeting, the members discussed the work plan and decided to adopt a package of measures under their purview to prevent the spread of the disease," he said.
Control measures will be stepped up in hospital wards. Disinfection and stringent infection control measures will be implemented if any patient developed noroviral gastroenteritis symptoms.
Promotional campaign on the prevention of noroviral infection will be also stepped up to remind the public and institution management on the importance of hand hygiene and the proper disinfection of vomitus and faecal matter in controlling the spread of the disease.
Publicity on television and radio will be intensified while more health talks are being arranged by the Department of Health for staff of the authority and residential care homes for the elderly.
The relevant departments will also remind the management of institutions, including elderly homes, homes for the disabled, child care centres and schools of the preventive measures. Visitors to the residential care homes will be reminded to observe personal hygiene to reduce their risk of introducing the disease to the residents.
Today's meeting was attended by representatives from the Department of Health, Social Welfare Department, Education and Manpower Bureau, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Information Services Department and Hospital Authority.
Ends/Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:32
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