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| Washing of hands with soap and water is top CHP advice |
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has raised an alarm over the increasing number of cases of acute gastro enteritis (AGE) caused by norovirus.
AGE symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal
pain, low-grade fever and malaise. The symptoms are usually self-limiting and
most people will get better within one to three days.
The increase in cases was shown in the latest surveillance
data, including the number of AGE outbreaks as well as data from Accident and
Emergency Departments (A&Es) and sentinel residential care homes for the
elderly (RCHEs).
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"There has been a significant increase in the number of
patients attending A&Es with AGE symptoms and residents in sentinel RCHEs
with vomiting,” CHP said in a statement.
“The number of AGE outbreaks increased sharply from seven
recorded in the week ending December 28 last year to 19 in the week ending
January 4, with some patient samples tested positive for norovirus in
laboratory testing," CHP said.
"In the past two weeks most outbreaks were recorded at
RCHEs. The causes include improper handling of vomitus and improper use of
bleach for cleaning and disinfection. Besides, some residents of the RCHEs
became infected in the community after their vacations, further spreading the
infection in the RCHEs," it added.
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The CHP expects the norovirus activity to remain high during
winter, with the risk rising because of the resumption of classes after the
holidays.
The spokesman stressed that norovirus is highly infectious
and susceptible individuals can be infected by exposure to even a small amount
of norovirus. The virus can be transmitted through various channels such as
eating contaminated food, contact with vomit or fecal matter from infected
persons, and contact with contaminated objects.
“Vomiting in a confined space with poor ventilation poses a
potential risk for an outbreak. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to
properly and promptly clean up vomitus, and thoroughly disinfect the
environment,” CHP said.
It also encouraged the washing of hands with soap and water,
instead of using alcohol-based handrub, as alcohol does not effectively kill
some viruses frequently causing AGE, such as norovirus.
CHP urged the public to observe the following measures
against gastroenteritis:
Ensure proper personal hygiene;
Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating, after
using the toilet or after changing diapers;
Wear gloves and wash hands after handling vomitus or faecal
matter;
Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and
thoroughly with 1:49 diluted household bleach (by adding one part of bleach
containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water). Wash hands
thoroughly afterwards;
Stay home from work or school, and seek medical advice if
suffering from vomiting or diarrhea;
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;
Drink boiled water; and
Do not patronize unlicensed food premises or food stalls.
Members of the public may visit the CHP's webpage (https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/33.html)
for more information and preventive advice on norovirus infection.
