Norovirus outbreak in elderly home under close watch

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 12) reminded members of the public and management of institutions to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent gastroenteritis caused by norovirus infection.

The appeal was made following CHP's investigation of a gastroenteritis outbreak affecting 30 residents and six staff members in an elderly home in Yuen Long.

The affected, comprising six men and 30 women aged from 40 to 98, developed symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including diarrhoea and vomiting, between February 5 and 11.

Of them, 33 consulted general practitioners or out-patient clinics while three attended the Emergency and Accident Department of Tuen Mun Hospital and all of them were admitted. All the affected are in stable condition.

Preliminary laboratory results showed two stool samples positive for norovirus, a common cause of viral gastroenteritis.
Staff of the CHP has conducted field visits to the elderly home. Health instructions were provided to the staff concerning proper disinfection, proper disposal of vomitus and stools, as well as personal and food hygiene. The staff was also reminded to watch out for symptoms of viral gastroenteritis among residents and report any suspected cases to CHP.

CHP will closely monitor the elderly home for further cases and provide health advice as necessary.

A spokesman for CHP said that viral gastroenteritis caused by norovirus is usually self-limiting with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, slight fever and malaise. The symptoms may last for 24 to 48 hours.

He said the public should be vigilant as noroviral gastroenteritis has entered the peak season in Hong Kong and winter season is historically the peak season for norovirus outbreaks. Good personal, food and environmental hygiene are of paramount importance in preventing norovirus outbreaks in institutional settings.

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

Ends/Monday, February 12, 2007