14 Apr 2008
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 14) urged members of the public to be on the alert against viral hepatitis E infection and strictly observed good personal, food and environmental hygiene.
The appeal was made in view of higher activity of viral hepatitis E infection recently.
Consultant Community Medicine of CHP, Dr SK Chuang said a total of 45 cases have been reported to CHP so far this year, while the figures for the same period of 2007 was 25.
The figures for the whole year of 2005, 2006 and 2007 were 33, 34 and 64 respectively.
The cases were distributed throughout Hong Kong and involved patients aged between 16 and 84. So far, the food histories provided by the patients did not show a single common source outbreak related to any particular food premises, Dr Chuang said.
Dr Chuang said hepatitis E was acquired by ingestion of contaminated food or water and therefore it is preventable by observing good personal and food hygiene. The incubation period ranged from 15 to 64 days before onset of symptoms.
"Hepatitis E is usually more active during the winter and spring seasons.
"Clinical features of acute hepatitis E resemble those of other types of viral hepatitis including anorexia, malaise, fever and vomiting, followed by jaundice, passing tea-coloured urine and hepatoemegaly. Most of the patients recover in three to six weeks. However, pregnant patients carry a higher risk of severe disease from the infection," Dr Chuang said.
To prevent hepatitis E infections, the public are advised to take the following measures:
- Most important, cook food thoroughly before consumption.
- Avoid raw food or semi-cooked food.
- Purchase fresh food from reliable sources. Do not patronize illegal hawkers.
- Clean and wash food thoroughly.
- Handle and store raw and cooked food especially seafood separately (upper compartment of the refrigerator for cooked food and lower compartment for raw food) to avoid cross contamination.
- Store perishable food in refrigerator, well covered and keep the temperature of refrigerator at or below 4°C.
- Wash hands properly with soap and water before eating or handling food, and after toilet.