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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (January 12) investigating two outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) involving a primary school in Kowloon City and a kindergarten in Kwai Chung, and hence appealed to the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene against AGE.
The outbreak at the primary school involves 20 boys aged 8 to 10. They presented with vomiting and diarrhoea since January 9. Sixteen of them sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All the pupils are currently in a stable condition.
And the outbreak at the kindergarten involves 10 boys and 10 girls aged 3 to 5. They presented with vomiting and diarrhoea since January 7. Seventeen pupils sought medical attention. One of them required hospitalisation and has been discharged. All the pupils are currently in a stable condition.
Investigations are ongoing.
Officers of the CHP have conducted site visits and provided health advice to the staff of the primary school and the kindergarten concerning proper and thorough disinfection, disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene. The primary school and the kindergarten has been put under medical surveillance.
A spokesman for the CHP advised members of the public to take heed of the following preventive measures against AGE:
* Ensure proper personal hygiene;
* Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating, and after using the toilet;
* Wear gloves when disposing of vomitus or faecal matter, 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;
* Pay attention to food hygiene;
* Use separate utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
* Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked;
* Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective;
* Drink boiled water; and
* Do not patronise unlicensed food premises and food stalls.
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 AGE.
Ends/Monday, January 12, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:36
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