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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 reminds people and the management of institutions to strictly observe environmental and personal hygiene to prevent norovirus gastroenteritis.
The gastroenteritis outbreak affected 20 female residents at an elderly home in Tuen Mun, who developed symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including diarrhoea and vomiting, beginning December 22, 2010.
All the affected residents sought medical consultation. Nine of them were admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital, and eight have since been discharged. All affected residents are in stable condition.
The stool samples of four admitted residents tested positive for norovirus.
Officers of the CHP visited the institution and provided health advice to staff concerning proper disinfection, disposal of vomitus and faecal matter, as well as personal and food hygiene.
The CHP will closely monitor the institution and provide further advice if necessary.
A CHP spokesman said norovirus infection could 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," he 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 household bleach diluted at a ratio of 1:50 (by adding one part of household bleach to 49 parts of water);
* maintain good indoor ventilation; and
* make sure that food, particularly seafood and shellfish, is cooked thoroughly.
Ends/Thursday, January 6, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:56
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