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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 21) reminded members of the public and management of institutions to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent gastroenteritis.
The appeal was made following CHP's investigation into an acute gastroenteritis outbreak affecting 25 residents and two staff members in an elderly home in Yuen Long.
The affected, comprising six men and 21 women aged between 45 and 101, developed symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including diarrhoea and vomiting, between February 16 and 21.
Nineteen of them consulted out-patient clinics and private doctors. Three others were admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital while one was admitted to Pok Oi Hospital. All of them are in stable condition.
Officers of the CHP have conducted field visits to the elderly home and provided health instructions to the 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, members of the public are advised to-
* Ensure proper personal hygiene;
* Wash hands thoroughly before eating or preparing food and after using the toilet or handling vomitus or faecal matter;
* Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked.
Members of the public can obtain more information on the prevention of gastroenteritis from CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Unit hotline, 2833 0111.
Ends/Thursday, February 21, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:31
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