Press Release

CHP alerts public to increase in adenovirus activity

20 November 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 20) drew the public's attention to a recent increase in adenovirus activity and appealed to members of the public, particularly parents and management of schools and institutions, to stay alert and maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene.

According to the latest surveillance data, an increase in activity of adenovirus, which causes upper respiratory tract infection (URI), has been noted in the last two weeks. Four URI outbreaks caused by adenovirus affecting 30 pupils (nine requiring hospitalisation) in three kindergartens/child care centres (KGs/CCCs) and a primary school were reported in the week ending November 15, while three outbreaks affecting 42 pupils (seven requiring hospitalisation) in KGs have been filed this week so far. Of note, there were only zero to two outbreaks per week recorded in 2013 and 2014 until November 8.

Concurrently, laboratory surveillance by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch also indicated a continual rise in adenovirus activity in the past three weeks. The percentage positive for adenovirus increased from 2.9 per cent (53 positive among 1 797 respiratory specimens) in the week ending October 25 to 6.4 per cent (115 positive among 1 812 specimens) last week.

"We will continue to closely monitor local adenovirus activity through routine surveillance of institutional outbreaks and laboratory surveillance," a spokesman for the CHP said.

"We will issue letters to doctors, KGs/CCCs, primary and secondary schools as well as residential care homes for the elderly and the disabled to alert them to the situation, and remind them of the necessary measures against institutional outbreaks. Suspected outbreaks should be reported to the CHP for epidemiological investigation," the spokesman added.

Adenoviruses are a group of viruses which infect the mucus membranes. Depending on the type of virus, they may cause respiratory illnesses, but also diarrhoea, eye infections and rashes. Infections can occur all year round. Young children, the elderly and immunocompromised patients are more susceptible.

"The infection mainly spreads through air droplets, direct contact of the oro-nasal secretions of patients, or ingestion of contaminated food or water, and may cause outbreaks of acute respiratory or eye infections in institutional settings such as schools and hospitals," the spokesman said.

To prevent adenovirus infections, the public should take heed of measures below:

• Maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene;
• Build up good body immunity by having a balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
• Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharge properly;
• Wash hands thoroughly before food handling and eating, and after going to toilets, handling of vomitus, faecal matter and oro-nasal secretions;
• Wear gloves while disposing vomitus, faeces and diapers, and wash hands afterwards;
• Clean and disinfect contaminated articles and surfaces promptly and thoroughly with 1:49 diluted household bleach (1 part of household bleach in 49 parts of water);
• Avoid touching the eyes with hands;
• Do not share towels and toilet articles;
• Avoid sharing eye medicines, eye make-ups and other items that may come into contact with the eyes;
• Avoid crowded places where the ventilation is unsatisfactory; and
• Children developing symptoms of infection should refrain from school and seek medical advice.

Management of schools and institutions may refer to the CHP's guidelines on prevention of communicable diseases (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/guidelines_on_prevention_of_communicable_diseases_in_schools_kindergartens_kindergartens_cum_child_care-centres_child_are_centres.pdf) for details.

The public may visit the CHP's page on adenovirus infection (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/24/13464.html) for more information.