24 Feb 2010
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 24) 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 21 residents aged between 75 and 101 and four staff members of an elderly home in Tuen Mun.
The affected, comprising nine males and 16 females, developed symptoms of gastroenteritis including diarrhoea and vomiting since February 18. Among them, four residents required hospitalisation. All the affected are currently in stable condition.
The stool samples of one affected resident 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.