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The two female residents of the Hong Kong Paralympic Village who were infected with norovirus and admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital respectively earlier this month were discharged from the hospitals today (September 6).
The two, aged 19 and 53, developed gastroenteritis symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea on August 31 and September 1 respectively.
There are no other outstanding cases of norovirus infection or acute gastroenteritis in the Paralympic Village.
The Director of Health, Dr PY Lam, said investigations have so far revealed there was no direct linkage between the two cases.
Laboratory tests on food samples taken from the Paralympic Village yielded negative results to norovirus, he said.
"The hygiene of the Village is of the highest standard and it has been accredited for implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP). Food provided by the Village is safe," Dr Lam said.
He said the source of infection were still under investigations.
He explained that transmission of norovirus could occur through person-to-person contact, direct contact with infected secretions and contaminated objects.
"Observation of good personal hygiene as well as thorough disinfection will help to cut off transmission of the infection," he said.
CHP has provided health advice to residents and staff of the Village. The Village management has also carried out thorough disinfection and stepped up hygienic measures in their premises.
CHP would continue to closely monitor the health condition of the residents and staff of the Village, Dr Lam said.
Ends/Saturday, September 6, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:25
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