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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (March 31) investigating an outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis at a residential care home for persons with disabilities (RCHD) in Kwai Chung involving 14 residents and seven staff members, and hence appealed to the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene against gastroenteritis.
The affected patients, comprising 12 male and two female residents aged between 21 and 65 and two male and five female staff aged between 23 to 57, have presented with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including diarrhoea and vomiting, since March 22.
Ten sought medical attention and four required hospitalisation were discharged. All the affected persons are now in stable condition.
The stool specimen of one of them tested positive for norovirus upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch.
Investigations are continuing.
Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the staff of the RCHD concerning proper disinfection, disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene. The RCHD has been put under medical surveillance.
A CHP spokesman said norovirus infection could be transmitted via contaminated food or water, contact with vomitus or faeces or any objects contaminated by the virus.
"Proper disposal of vomitus and faecal matter and adequate disinfection of the environment are very important in preventing and controlling the spread of the disease," the spokesman said.
The spokesman advised members of the public to take heed of the following preventive measures against viral gastroenteritis:
* Maintain high standards of personal, food and environmental hygiene;
* Wash hands with liquid soap and water before handling food and eating, after going to the toilet and after changing diapers;
* Carefully wash fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating them;
* Cook all food, particularly shellfish, thoroughly before consumption;
* Refrain from going to work or school, and seek medical advice if one is suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea;
* Clean up vomitus and faeces and disinfect the contaminated areas properly and immediately. Keep other people away from the contaminated areas during cleaning;
* Wear gloves and a mask while disposing of or handling vomitus and faeces, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards; and
* Clean and disinfect soiled linens, clothes and environmental surfaces promptly and thoroughly with 1 in 49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of household bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite in 49 parts of water). Wash hands thoroughly afterwards.
The public may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the DH's Health Education Hotline (2833 0111) for more information on gastroenteritis.
Ends/Thursday, March 31, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:03
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