28 Oct 2009
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 28) reminded members of the public and management of institutions to maintain strict environmental and personal hygiene to prevent noroviral gastroenteritis.
The appeal followed CHP's investigation into a gastroenteritis outbreak affecting 24 residents and five staff members of an elderly home in Tsuen Wan.
The affected people, eight males and 21 females, were aged between 22 and 96. They developed symptoms of gastroenteritis, including diarrhoea and vomiting, since October 17.
Sixteen of them had sought medical treatment. Two were admitted to Yan Chai Hospital and one was already discharged. All those affected are in stable condition.
Stool sample of one of the affected residents was tested positive to norovirus.
Officers of the CHP had visited to the elderly home and provided health instructions to the staff concerning proper disinfection, proper disposal of vomitus and faecal matter, as well as personal and food hygiene.
The CHP will closely monitor the institution for further cases and provide further health advice when necessary.
A CHP spokesman said norovirus infection could be transmitted via food or water contaminated with the virus, 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 of crucial importance 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 1 part of household bleach to 49 parts of water);
- maintain good indoor ventilation;
- make sure that food, particularly seafood and shellfish, is cooked thoroughly.
Members of the public can obtain more information on the prevention of viral gastroenteritis from the CHP's website ( http://www.chp.gov.hk ) or call the Central Health Education Unit hotline, 2833 0111.