16 Dec 2010
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (December 16) drew the attention of the public and the management of institutions to the prevention of viral gastroenteritis in the community in view of the approach of the traditional peak season of the disease.
A CHP spokesman said that five institutional gastroenteritis outbreaks were recorded last week (December 5 – 11) as compared with 0 to 2 outbreaks every week in the preceding three weeks.
He said, “CHP’s sentinel surveillance system of child care centres and kindergartens also showed an increase in vomiting and diarrhoea activities since late November.”
“Viral gastroenteritis, commonly caused by noroviruses, is a frequent cause of outbreaks in institutions. Norovirus outbreaks may occur throughout the year but are known to occur more frequently in winter months. Although norovirus infection is usually mild and self-limiting, they are highly infectious and may result in outbreaks that are difficult to control. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and malaise. The infection can spread through consumption of contaminated food or direct contact with the vomitus or excreta of the infected persons, “ he said.
The CHP has issued letters to healthcare professionals and various institutions to alert them about the seasonal rise in activities of viral gastroenteritis and to provide health advice.
The spokesman said, "Proper management and adequate disinfection of vomitus and faecal matter is of crucial importance in preventing and controlling the spread of the disease."
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 faeces matter;
‧ wear gloves when disposing of vomitus and faeces and wash their hands afterwards;
‧ clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with household bleach diluted at a ratio 1 : 49 (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 CHP's website ( www.chp.gov.hk ) or call the Central Health Education Unit hotline, 2833 0111.