8th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has issued a warning today, regarding a notable increase in acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases in Hong Kong. Recent surveillance data, including reports from Accident and Emergency Departments (A&Es) and sentinel residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs), indicates a rise in AGE activity attributed to norovirus.
According to a CHP spokesperson, “The number of patients visiting A&Es with AGE symptoms and residents in sentinel RCHEs experiencing vomiting has surged. The recorded AGE outbreaks rose sharply from seven in the week ending 28th December to 19 in the week ending 4th January, with some patient samples testing positive for norovirus.”
The spokesperson further noted that most outbreaks in the past two weeks occurred in RCHEs, primarily due to improper handling of vomitus and inadequate use of bleach for cleaning and disinfection. Additionally, some residents contracted the virus from the community after returning from holidays, further disseminating the infection within the care homes.
In response, the CHP is providing infection control guidance and training to the affected RCHEs and will maintain close communication to monitor residents’ health and ensure strict adherence to infection control protocols. The DH will also host a seminar for staff at RCHEs and residential care homes for individuals with disabilities, focusing on effective strategies to prevent AGE outbreaks, including enhancing personal hygiene and environmental cleaning practices.
The CHP anticipates continued high levels of norovirus activity throughout the winter season, with an increased risk of outbreaks in schools as classes resume post-holidays. The spokesperson emphasised that norovirus is highly contagious, and even minimal exposure can lead to infection. Transmission can occur through contaminated food, contact with vomitus or faecal matter from infected individuals, and contaminated surfaces, potentially resulting in large-scale outbreaks. Proper and prompt cleaning of vomitus, particularly in poorly ventilated areas, is crucial to preventing outbreaks.
To keep the public informed, the CHP will send letters to doctors, institutions, schools, kindergartens, and childcare centres detailing the current AGE situation and reminding them to adhere to the Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases. Institutions experiencing AGE outbreaks must report to the CHP immediately for prompt intervention.
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