Roundup: Anti-norovirus measures enhanced in HK

Hong Kong health department announced Tuesday that it will step up surveillance measures and public education in the coming weeks to prevent the spread of norovirus, while six more patients who suffered from diarrhea or vomiting were reported.

Hong Kong Center for Health Protection Controller Pak-yin Leung said after a meeting of Inter-departmental Co-ordinating Committee on Noroviral Gastroenteritis that they had reviewed the latest situation and mapped out city-wide strategies and control measures.

According to Leung, the committee will adopt a package of measures to curb the disease's spread. Control measures will be strengthened in hospital wards. Disinfection and stringent infection control measures will be implemented if any patient develops noroviral gastroenteritis symptoms.

A promotional campaign will be enhanced to remind the public of the importance of hand hygiene and proper disinfection, Leung said.

Hong Kong Hospital Authority announced Tuesday afternoon that by 5 p.m. (0900 GMT) Tuesday, three Hong Kong hospitals had new cases of patients and staff suffering from diarrhea or vomiting, including four patients aged 43 to 82 and two staff. Their condition is stable at present.

The authority said the patients are being treated in isolation, while the staff concerned are on sick leave. Laboratory tests are being carried out and infection control measures have already been stepped up in the concerned wards.

The cases have already been reported to Hospital Authority's Head Office and the Center for Health Protection for follow up.

Hong Kong Center for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said on Monday the number of norovirus outbreaks at public hospitals, elderly homes, child-care centers and schools has surged, with at least 864 cases reported since May.

The latest Department of Health figures show there have been 50 confirmed norovirus outbreaks in elderly homes since May, affecting 699 people.

There have been also 22 outbreaks in public hospitals since May, affecting 165 people of whom about 30 were staff members. Only 295 people in elderly homes and public hospitals were infected in the first four months of this year.

A total of 99 noroviral gastroenteritis outbreaks in institutions, including child care centers and schools, involving 1,301 persons have been reported in the first six months of this year. In 2005, there were a total of 42 norovirus outbreaks in institutions, affecting 643 persons.

Hong Kong Center for Health Protection of the Department of Health reminded the public and management of institutions to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene as its surveillance system indicated that Hong Kong experienced a prolonged norovirus season this year.

"Gastroenteritis caused by norovirus is commonly found in Hong Kong all year round but is more active in the winter months," head of CHP's Infection Control Branch Raymond Yung said.

He pointed out that norovirus infection could be transmitted via food or water contaminated with the virus, contact with vomitus or faeces or any objects contaminated by the virus.

Norwalk-like viruses infection is caused by a group of viruses known as Norwalk-like viruses, also known as small round structured viruses (SRSVs).

The disease is usually self-limiting with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, low-grade fever and malaise. The symptoms usually last 24 to 48 hours. The Norwalk-like viruses often cause food poisoning or outbreaks of gastroenteritis especially in elderly homes and schools.

Source: Xinhua