Press Release

Public urged to guard against bacillary dysentery

23 October 2006

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 23) urged members of the public to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene following confirmation of an outbreak of bacillary dysentery, an intestinal infection caused by bacteria.
Results from specimens collected from seven residents and one staff of a hostel in Southern District were tested positive for Shigella sonnei, the bacteria causing bacillary dysentery, a CHP spokesman said.

The eight persons, comprising 6 males and 2 females, are aged between 21 and 41 years old. Three of them had developed gastrointestinal symptoms from October 6 to 15 while the other five, although asymptomatic, had their specimens tested positive. Five other residents and one staff member of the hostel also developed gastrointestinal symptoms since October 6 while laboratory results were pending.

Currently, 5 residents are hospitalized in Queen Mary Hospital, 1 in Princess Margaret Hospital and 1 in Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals. Another 1 patient had been admitted to Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals before and now has been discharged. Four consulted a private medical practitioner but were not required to be admitted. All of them are in stable condition.

As the investigation proceeds, it is possible that more cases will be identified, the spokesman said.

The hostel has been advised to step up infection control measures, suspend common activities and closed for visiting. CHP is putting residents and staff of the hostel under medical surveillance.

Bacillary dysentery is an intestinal infection caused by Shigella bacteria which can be found in human gut. The illness is characterized by sudden onset of fever, diarrhoea with abdominal cramps and nausea or vomiting. The stool may contain blood and mucus. The incubation period usually lasts for one to three days, but can be up to seven days.

Bacillary dysentery is transmitted directly by faecal material of a patient/carrier or indirectly through contaminated food and water. Infection may occur after consuming a small number of the germs. Therefore, chance of spread among household members or in institutions can be very high. It occurs more commonly amongst young children.

DH received 390 bacillary dysentery cases in 2001, 284 cases in 2002, 116 cases in 2003 and 136 cases in 2004 and 129 in 2005. From January to September, 2006, 88 cases of BD were reported.

The public are reminded to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent bacillary dysentery.

 Wash hands properly with soap and water before eating or handling food, and after toilet or changing diapers.
 Drinking water should be from the mains and preferably boiled.
 Purchase fresh food from reliable sources. Do not patronize illegal hawkers.
 Avoid high-risk food like shellfish, raw food or semi-cooked food.