Press Release

CHP investigates outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in school

15 May 2015

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (May 15) investigating an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in a school in Aberdeen, and hence appealed to the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene against AGE.

The 21 affected pupils, 11 boys and 10 girls all aged 8, have developed vomiting, diarrhoea and fever since May 12. All of them consulted private doctors and none required hospitalisation. All are now in stable condition.

Officers of the CHP conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the management of the school on proper disinfection, disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene. The school has been put under medical surveillance.

The CHP's investigation is ongoing.

A spokesman for the CHP advised members of the public to take heed of the following preventive measures against AGE:

• Ensure proper personal hygiene;
• Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating, and after using the toilet;
• Wear gloves when disposing of vomitus or faecal matter, and wash hands afterwards;
• Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water);
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Pay attention to food hygiene;
• Use separate utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective;
• Drink boiled water; and
• Do not patronise unlicensed food premises and food stalls.

The public may visit the CHP's website ( www.chp.gov.hk ) or call the DH's Health Education Hotline (2833 0111) for more information on AGE.