CHP investigates two outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis
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The outbreak at the kindergarten in Tuen Mun involves 20 males and 16 females, comprising 34 pupils aged 3 to 6 and two staff members. Thirty of them sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation.
The outbreak at the primary school in Southern District involves 10 males and 13 females, comprising 17 students aged 6 to 9 and six staff members. Nineteen of them sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation.
The affected persons have presented with vomiting, diarrhoea and fever since November 30. All of them are now in stable condition.
Officers of the CHP have conducted site visits and provided health advice to the staff of the kindergarten and the primary school concerning proper and thorough disinfection, disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene. The two institutions have been put under medical surveillance.
The CHP's investigations are ongoing.
A spokesman for the CHP advised members of the public to take heed of the following preventive measures against gastroenteritis:
• Ensure proper personal hygiene;
• Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating, after using the toilet or after changing diapers;
• Wear gloves when disposing of vomitus or faecal matter, and wash hands afterwards;
• Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water). Wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Pay attention to food hygiene;
• Use separate utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked;
• Drink boiled water; and
• Do not patronise unlicensed food premises and food stalls.
The public may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the DH's Health Education Hotline (2833 0111) for more information.
Ends/Thursday, December 1, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:42
Issued at HKT 18:42
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