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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 29) reminded members of the public and management of institutions to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent acute gastroenteritis caused by norovirus infection.
The CHP made the appeal subsequent to investigations of a gastroenteritis outbreak in an elderly home in Tuen Mun earlier this month.
The outbreak affected 16 residents and a staff member who developed symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including diarrhoea and vomiting, between November 19 and 27. Three men and 14 women aged 56 to 94 were affected. One was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital. All are in a stable condition.
Preliminary laboratory results showed three stool samples tested positive for norovirus, a common cause of viral gastroenteritis.
Staff of the CHP has conducted field visits to the elderly home. Health instructions were provided to staff of the elderly home concerning proper disinfection, proper disposal of vomit and faeces, as well as personal and food hygiene. Staff of the elderly home were reminded to be on the lookout for symptoms of viral gastroenteritis among residents and report any suspected cases to the CHP.
The CHP will closely monitor the situation for further cases and provide health advice as necessary.
Viral gastroenteritis caused by norovirus is usually self-limiting with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, low-grade fever and malaise. The symptoms may last for 24 to 48 hours.
With the approaching winter season, which is historically the peak season for viral gastroenteritis caused by norovirus, the spokesman stressed the importance of personal, food and environmental hygiene in preventing norovirus outbreaks in institutional settings.
To prevent the spread of viral 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 of 1 in 49 units of water; maintain good indoor ventilation;
* Make sure that food, particularly seafood and shellfish, is cooked thoroughly.
For more information on the disease, members of the public may visit the CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:53
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