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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 9) reminded the public and management of institutions to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent gastroenteritis.
The appeal was made following CHP's investigation of an acute gastroenteritis outbreak affecting 20 residents in an elderly home in Tai Po.
Those affected, two men and 18 women aged between 64 and 96, developed symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including diarrhoea and vomiting, between January 1 and 8.
They all consulted visiting general practitioners arranged by the elderly home. Among them, one attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and one the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH). One of them was admitted to PWH. All of them are in stable condition.
Officers of the CHP have conducted field visits to the elderly home and provided health instructions to staff concerning proper disinfection, proper disposal of vomitus and stools, as well as personal and food hygiene.
CHP will closely monitor the elderly home for further cases and provide health advice when necessary.
To prevent contracting gastroenteritis, people are advised to:
* Ensure proper personal hygiene;
* Wash hands thoroughly before eating or preparing food and after using toilet or handling vomitus or faecal matter;
* Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked.
People can obtain more information on the prevention of gastroenteritis from CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Unit hotline, 2833 0111.
Ends/Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:00
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