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In view of the recent rise in the number of gastroenteritis cases, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 20) reminded members of the public to maintain high standards of personal, food and environmental hygiene.
Consultant (Community Medicine) of the CHP, Dr Thomas Tsang, said during the week ending January 14 this year, consultation rates for acute diarrhoea among private doctors was 40.8 per 1,000 consultations compared with 37.1 per 1,000 and 31.9 per 1,000 during the two weeks ending January 7 and December 31 respectively.
"The number of institutional gastroenteritis outbreaks also increased 37% from 19 during the period from November 20 to December 17, 2005 to 26 from December 18 to January 14 this year," Dr Tsang said.
"Acute gastroenteritis in this time of the year is commonly viral in origin, norovirus being an important causative agent. It occurs in Hong Kong all year round, but is more active during winter months.
"As we enter the high season for viral gastroenteritis, we wish to remind institutions to watch out for symptoms of viral gastroenteritis and report suspected outbreaks to the CHP," Dr Tsang added.
He pointed out that the usual symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, low-grade fever and malaise. Symptoms usually last for 24 to 48 hours.
"Infection can be transmitted via food or water contaminated with the virus, contact with vomit or faeces or objects contaminated by the virus," he said.
The CHP is sending letters to elderly homes, child care centres, and schools to remind them to be extra cautious against the disease.
Management of institutions are advised to take note of the CHP's Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases.
To prevent gastroenteritis, the public should observe the following precautions:
* wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating and after using the toilet or handling vomit or faecal matter;
* 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 in a ratio 1 in 49 units of water;
* maintain good indoor ventilation;
* make sure that food, particularly seafood and shellfish, is cooked thoroughly.
People suffering from gastroenteritis should refrain from going to work or school to avoid spreading the infection.
Information on the prevention of gastroenteritis can be obtained from the CHP website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) or the Central Health Education Unit hotline, 2833 0111.
Ends/Friday, January 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:47
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