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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a norovirus gastroenteritis outbreak at an elderly home and reminded people and management of institutions to strictly observe environmental and personal hygiene to prevent norovirus gastroenteritis.
The gastroenteritis outbreak affected 46 residents aged between 74 and 104 and 20 staff members at an elderly home in Kwun Tong. The affected, 10 men and 56 women, have developed symptoms of acute gastroenteritis including diarrhoea and vomiting since January 2.
All the affected are in stable condition. Seven of the affected residents required hospitalisation. Stool samples from eight affected residents tested positive for norovirus.
Officers of the CHP have visited the institution on multiple occasions and provided health advice to staff on proper disinfection, disposal of vomitus and faecal matter, as well as personal and food hygiene. Another visit to the institution, together with the Social Welfare Department, was conducted today (January 18) to reinforce the infection control measures.
The CHP will closely monitor the institution and provide further advice if necessary.
A CHP spokesman said norovirus infection can be transmitted via contaminated food or water, contact with vomitus or faeces or any objects contaminated by the virus.
"Proper disposal of vomitus and faecal matter and adequate disinfection of the environment are very important in preventing and controlling the spread of the disease," the spokesman said.
To prevent the spread of viral gastroenteritis, the public should take the following precautions:
* wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating and after using the toilet or handling vomitus or faecal matter;
* wear gloves when disposing of vomitus or faeces; and wash hands afterwards;
* clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of household bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water);
* maintain good indoor ventilation; and
* make sure that food, particularly seafood and shellfish, is cooked thoroughly.
Ends/Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:41
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