CHP investigates norovirus gastroenteritis outbreak in elderly home

5 Feb 2010

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 5) reminded the public and management of institutions to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent gastroenteritis.

The appeal followed the CHP's investigation into a gastroenteritis outbreak affecting 16 residents aged between 76 and 102 and five staff members of an elderly home in Sha Tin.

Twenty-one affected females developed symptoms of gastroenteritis including diarrhoea and vomiting since January 29. Among them, three residents required hospitalisation. All the affected are currently in stable condition.

The stool samples of two affected residents tested positive for norovirus.

Officers of the CHP have 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.

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 household bleach to 49 parts water);
* maintain good indoor ventilation;
* make sure that food, particularly seafood and shellfish, is cooked thoroughly.