Press Release

Parents of primary school pupils asked to watch their children's health

December 22, 2003

The Department of Health (DH) today (December 22) appealed to parents of SKH Wing Chun Primary School in the Northern District to closely watch the health condition of their children these few days.

A total of 104 students of the School, including 52 boys and 52 girls, aged from 6 to 11 have developed symptoms of gastroenteritis believed to be infective in origin, including vomiting, abdominal pain, fever and diarrhoea. All of them are in stable condition. One was admitted to hospital but is now already discharged.

A DH spokesman said that the School, with a total of more than 900 students, had started Christmas holidays. Hence, there is no risk of further spread at the School.

"However, parents are reminded to watch the health condition of their children at home and take them to see the doctor as soon as possible should they feel unwell," he added.

DH staff had given disinfection guidelines and health education to the School authority. The entire school was disinfected. Stool specimens are being taken by DH for investigation.

Hong Kong now enters the high season for viral gastroenteritis, the public should observe personal, food and environmental hygiene in preventing the disease.

To prevent the spread of infective gastroenteritis, the public should take the following precautions:

• wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating and after using the toilet or handling vomit or fecal matter;
• wear gloves when disposing of vomit and faeces and wash hands afterwards;
• clean and disinfect contaminated areas and items promptly and thoroughly with household bleach diluted in a ratio of 1 in 49 units of water;
• maintain good indoor ventilation;
• make sure that food, particularly seafood and shellfish, is cooked thoroughly.

Any children, students and workers suffering from viral gastroenteritis should stay home until they recover.

The department also reminded schools and institutions to watch out for symptoms of viral gastroenteritis and report any suspected outbreaks to DH. The public may visit the DH homepage http://www.info.gov.hk/dh for more information on gastroenteritis.