5 May 2010
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 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 18 children aged between three and five and two staff members in a kindergarten in Fanling.
The affected, comprising seven males and 13 females, have developed symptoms of gastroenteritis including diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain since April 24. One of them required hospitalisation and had been discharged. All the affected are currently in stable condition.
The stool samples of one affected child tested positive for rotavirus.
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.
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.