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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 21) reminded the public and management of institutions and hospitals to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent viral gastroenteritis, especially those caused by norovirus infection.
The spokesman said the consultation rates for acute diarrhoeal diseases at general practitioner and general out-patient clinics under the sentinel surveillance system had remained at the baseline level in the past few weeks. However, with the approach of winter, the peak season for viral gastroenteritis caused by norovirus, personal, food and environmental hygiene were of paramount importance in preventing norovirus infection.
"The CHP has sent letters to institutions including elderly homes, schools and hospitals to remind the management to be on the lookout for symptoms of viral gastroenteritis among residents, students and patients, and report any suspected outbreaks to the CHP," he said.
Viral gastroenteritis caused by norovirus is usually self-limiting, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, low-grade fever and malaise. The symptoms usually last for 12 to 60 hours.
The infection can spread through the consumption of contaminated food, direct contact with the vomitus or excreta of infected persons or aerosol of contaminated droplets of splashed vomitus.
To prevent the spread of viral gastroenteritis, the public should observe the following precautionary measures:
* Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating and after using the toilet or handling vomit or faecal matter;
* Wear gloves when disposing of vomit and faeces and wash hands afterwards;
* Clean and disinfect contaminated areas and items promptly and thoroughly with household bleach diluted in a ratio of one part bleach to 49 parts of water;
* Maintain good indoor ventilation;
* Make sure that food, particularly seafood and shellfish, is cooked thoroughly.
For more information, members of the public can visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Friday, November 21, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:33
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