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CHP continued monitoring gastroenteritis outbreak in elderly home

CHP continued monitoring gastroenteritis outbreak in elderly home
2004-09-07
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is closely monitoring a gastroenteritis outbreak in an elderly home in Kowloon City.

A CHP spokesman today (September 7) said that CHP was notified of the outbreak on September 4. Staff of CHP immediately carried out site investigation to the elderly home and rectified its hygiene condition on the same day.

Norovirus (EM photo)
EM photo of Norovirus

The outbreak affected 14 residents and four staff, comprising two men and 16 women aged from 36 to 94, who developed gastroenteritis symptoms, including diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain between September 1 and 5. Four of them were admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and one to Kwong Wah Hospital. Two were subsequently discharged. The other three still in hospital are in stable condition.

Proper disinfection and health advice was given to staff of the elderly home. Staff of the elderly home was also reminded to watch out for symptoms of viral gastroenteritis and report any suspected cases to CHP.

During the first visit on September 4, CHP found problems of toilet facilities in the elderly home. CHP promptly liaised with Social Welfare Department (SWD) and the property management to address this problem. Consequently the toilet problem was rectified in the afternoon of September 4.

CHP further visited the elderly home on September 6 and 7 to ensure compliance of hygiene advice. Continued liaison is maintained with SWD to closely monitor the situation.

The spokesman reminded members of the public and management of institutions to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent gastroenteritis.

Patients with viral gastroenteritis may display symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, low-grade fever and malaise which last for 24 to 48 hours.

Although the disease is more commonly seen in cooler months of the year, the spokesman stressed the importance of personal, food and environmental hygiene in preventing gastroenteritis outbreaks in institutional settings throughout the year.

To prevent the spread of viral gastroenteritis, the public should observe the following precautions:
* wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating and after using the toilet or handling vomit or fecal 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 1 in 49 units of water;
* maintain good indoor ventilation;
* make sure that food, particularly seafood and shellfish, is cooked thoroughly.

For more information, members of the public may visit the CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.

End/Tuesday, September 7, 2004