Press Release
CHP investigates acute gastroenteritis outbreak at elderly home
28 August 2014
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 28) reminded members of the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent gastroenteritis.
The appeal was made following the CHP's investigation into an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis at an elderly home in Wong Tai Sin involving 20 residents and one staff member.
The affected persons, comprising seven males and 14 females aged between 49 and 100, have presented with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including diarrhoea and vomiting, since August 23.
Nineteen of the affected persons sought medical consultation and six of them required hospitalisation. They are all in stable condition.
The CHP's investigations are continuing.
Officers of the CHP have visited the institution and provided health advice to the staff concerning proper disinfection, disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene. The elderly home is now under medical surveillance.
To prevent gastroenteritis, members of the public are advised to:
- Ensure proper personal hygiene;
- Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating, and after using the toilet;
- Wear gloves when disposing of vomitus or faeces, and wash hands afterwards;
- Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items thoroughly with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of household 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.
Members of the public can obtain more information on the prevention of gastroenteritis from the CHP's website (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Unit hotline on 2833 0111.