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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 7) called on the public and management of schools and institutions to stay vigilant against acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and maintain high standards of personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent the disease, as the peak season of AGE is approaching.
According to the latest surveillance data, institutional AGE outbreaks have been on the rise in the past two weeks. As of yesterday (November 6), the CHP had recorded five and six institutional AGE outbreaks last week (ending November 1) and in the first five days of this week (ending November 8), affecting 29 and 50 persons respectively. There were three or fewer outbreaks per week in the previous months.
The CHP's sentinel surveillance also detected a corresponding increase in AGE activity. From the week ending October 25 to that ending November 1, the weekly consultation rate of acute diarrhoeal diseases reported by general out-patient clinics increased from 3.9 to 4.5 per 1 000 consultations.
"AGE, commonly caused by norovirus and rotavirus, is a frequent cause of outbreaks in schools and institutions. AGE outbreaks may occur throughout the year but are known to occur more frequently in winter. AGE is highly infectious and may result in outbreaks which are difficult to control," a spokesman for the CHP explained.
Symptoms of AGE include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever and malaise. The infection can spread through consumption of contaminated food or direct contact with the vomitus or excreta of infected persons.
"We will issue letters to health-care professionals, schools and institutions today to alert them to the approaching peak season, remind them to implement corresponding infection control measures, and seek their assistance in providing health advice to their clients. Schools and institutions should also report AGE outbreaks to the CHP for prompt epidemiological investigation and control," the spokesman said.
To prevent the spread of AGE, the public should take heed of the following advice:
* Wash hands thoroughly before handling food or eating, and after using the toilet or handling vomitus or faecal matter;
* Wear gloves when disposing of vomitus and faeces and wash hands afterwards;
* Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water);
* Maintain good indoor ventilation; and
* Make sure that food, particularly seafood and shellfish, is thoroughly cooked.
Members of the public may visit the CHP's pages on norovirus infection (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/24/33.html) and rotavirus infection (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/24/38.html) for more information and preventive advice.
Ends/Friday, November 7, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:01
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