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A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (May 30) confirmed that preliminary laboratory results of eight stool samples collected from the passengers involving in a gastroenteritis outbreak on board a cruise-ship were positive for norovirus, a common cause of viral gastroenteritis.
The cruise-ship concerned departed from Singapore on May 20 and arrived in Hong Kong this morning. A total of 92 passengers and crew members developed symptoms of gastroenteritis including watery diarrhea, vomiting and fever during their voyage to Hong Kong.
The spokesman said more laboratory results on other stool samples are underway.
He pointed out that viral gastroenteritis caused by norovirus was usually self-limiting lasting for one to two days with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, low-grade fever and malaise. The incubation period for norovirus infection is 24 to 48 hours.
"Although there is no new case since last night, there is a chance that few more people who had been onboard the ship concerned may develop symptoms in the coming few days," the spokesman said.
The Port Health Office has informed the doctor of the ship about the laboratory results and reminded him, crew members and passengers to strictly observe sanitation precautions.
DH will also maintain close contact with the ship and carry out medical surveillance for those passengers who have disembarked for Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, officers of the Port Health Office will inform the port health authority of Halong Bay in Vietnam, the ship's next port of call, in respect of the outbreak.
Ends/Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Issued at HKT 23:06
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