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The Centre for Health protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 21) strongly advised people and management of institutions to step up strict personal and environmental hygiene due to recent outbreaks of noroviral gastroenteritis in elderly homes and hospitals.
A CHP spokesman said that so far this month, 30 confirmed norovirus outbreaks in elderly homes and 12 in public hospitals affecting 206 and 93 people respectively have been reported. The figures were 37 and 18 outbreaks affecting 516 and 140 people respectively in June this year.
A meeting of the Inter-departmental Co-ordinating Committee on Noroviral Gastroenteritis was held earlier this month to co-ordinate efforts of DH, Social Welfare Department, Education and Manpower Bureau, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Information Services Department and Hospital Authority.
During the meeting, members discussed the work plan for measures under their purview to prevent the spread of the disease.
The spokesman said that gastroenteritis caused by norovirus was commonly found in Hong Kong all year round although it is more active in the winter months. "Norovirus infection could be transmitted via food or water contaminated with the virus, or contact with vomitus or faeces or any objects contaminated by the virus," the spokesman said.
"Proper management and adequate disinfection of vomitus and faecal matter is of crucial importance in preventing and controlling the spread of the disease," he added.
To prevent the spread of viral gastroenteritis, people should observe the following precautions:
* wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating and after using the toilet or handling vomitus or faeces matter;
* wear gloves when disposing of vomitus and faeces and wash their hands afterwards;
* clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with household bleach diluted at a ratio 1:50 (by adding 1 part of household bleach to 49 parts of water);
* maintain good indoor ventilation;
* make sure that food, particularly seafood and shellfish, is cooked thoroughly.
People can obtain more information on the prevention of viral gastroenteritis from CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Unit hotline, 2833 0111.
Ends/Friday, July 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:59
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