Hong Kong – CHP investigates outbreak of acute gastroenteritis at kindergarten in Tseung Kwan O

May 16, 2023 | International

CHP investigates outbreak of acute gastroenteritis at kindergarten in Tseung Kwan O

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (May 15) investigating an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) at a kindergarten in Tseung Kwan O, and hence reminded the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene against AGE.

     The outbreak involves 20 students, comprising 12 males and eight females aged 3 to 5. Eight of them sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All patients are in stable condition. 

     According to the CHP’s epidemiological investigation, one of the students in the outbreak had developed symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea on May 9. Other students developed symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea from May 10 to 14. The CHP also confirmed that the affected students did not consume common food or meal boxes, and the investigation results revealed that there was an outbreak of AGE in the affected school, with a higher chance of person-to-person transmission or environmental contamination. The chance of involving food poisoning is relatively low. 

     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the staff of the school concerning proper and thorough disinfection, proper disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene. The school has been put under medical surveillance.

     Investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP advised members of the public to take heed of the following preventive 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 when disposing of vomitus or faecal matter, and wash hands afterwards;
  • Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with 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;
  • As alcohol does not effectively kill some viruses e.g. norovirus, alcohol-based handrub should not substitute hand hygiene with liquid soap and water;
  • 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 patronise unlicensed food premises or food stalls.

    
     The public may visit the CHP’s website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the DH’s Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) for more information.

Hong Kong – CHP investigates outbreak of acute gastroenteritis at kindergarten in Kwai Chung

Mar 27, 2023 | International

CHP investigates outbreak of acute gastroenteritis at kindergarten in Kwai Chung

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (March 27) investigating an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) at a kindergarten in Kwai Chung, and hence reminded the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene against AGE.

     The outbreak involves 22 pupils, comprising nine males and 13 females aged 3 to 5, and two staff members. Sixteen of them sought medical attention and four of whom required hospitalisation. All of them are in stable condition. 

     According to the CHP’s epidemiological investigation, one of the students in the outbreak had an onset of a symptom (vomiting) earliest on March 22 and continued to attend school until March 24. Other students developed symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea from March 25 to 26. The CHP also confirmed that the affected students did not consume common food or meal boxes, and the investigation results revealed that there was an outbreak of AGE in the affected school, with a higher chance of person-to-person transmission or environmental contamination. The chance of involving food poisoning is relatively low.

     Officers of the CHP have provided health advice to the staff of the school concerning proper and thorough disinfection, proper disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene. The school has been put under medical surveillance.

     Investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP advised members of the public to take heed of the following preventive 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 when disposing of vomitus or faecal matter, and wash hands afterwards;
  • Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with 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;
  • 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 patronise unlicensed food premises or food stalls.

     The public may visit the CHP’s website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the DH’s Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) for more information.

Hong Kong – CHP investigates three suspected food poisoning clusters

Jan 3, 2023 | International

CHP investigates three suspected food poisoning clusters

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 3) investigating three suspected food poisoning clusters affecting 16 persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.

     The first cluster involved two males and eight females, aged 1 to 68, who developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever about four to 49 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Sha Tin on December 28, 2022.

     The second cluster involved three males, aged 24 to 25, who developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea about 38.5 to 44.5 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui on December 18, 2022.
 
     The third cluster involved one male and two females, aged 26 to 28, who developed similar symptoms about 21.5 to 46 hours after consuming takeaway food provided by the same restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui on December 26, 2022.

     One of the affected persons of the first cluster sought medical advice and three of the affected persons from the second and third clusters sought medical advice. None required hospitalisation and all affected persons are in stable condition.

     To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
 

  • Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
  • Avoid eating raw seafood;
  • Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
  • Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hotpot or barbecue meal;
  • Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
  • Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked foods;
  • Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
  • Drink boiled water;
  • Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
  • Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

Hong Kong – DH investigates poisoning case involving undeclared Western drug ingredient detected in yellowish tablets (with photo)

Sep 10, 2022 | International

DH investigates poisoning case involving undeclared Western drug ingredient detected in yellowish tablets (with photo)

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     The Department of Health (DH) today (September 10) urged members of the public who consulted a listed Chinese medicine practitioner (CMP), Wong For-cheung, practising at New Cheung Wing Medicine located at Flat E1, G/F, Yau Ming Building, 91-101 Tai Loong Street, Kwai Chung, not to consume the yellowish tablets (see photo) he prescribed as they may contain undeclared Western drug ingredient.

 

    The DH received a notification of a suspected poisoning case involving a nine-year-old boy from the Hospital Authority (HA) earlier. The patient consulted the above listed CMP for eczema and was prescribed with medicines including the yellowish tablets. After taking the tablets, the patient developed weight gain and facial swelling. The DH received the result of laboratory investigation by the HA yesterday afternoon (September 9) revealing that Western drug ingredient “dexamethasone” was detected in the sample of yellowish tablets provided by the patient. The patient has been referred to a public hospital for treatment and his condition is stable. So far, the DH has not received reports of further similar cases.

 

     Upon receipt of notification of HA’s laboratory result, the DH raided the above CMP’s practising premises immediately and seized a quantity of suspected controlled medicines including the yellowish tablets suspected of containing Western drug ingredient, part 1 poisons, antibiotics and unregistered pharmaceutical products. In response to the incident, a man aged 69 was arrested by the Police yesterday for illegal possession of part 1 poisons, antibiotics and unregistered pharmaceutical products. Investigation is ongoing.

 

    “Dexamethasone is a part 1 poison and prescription medicine. It is a corticosteroid for treating inflammation. Inappropriate use of corticosteroid may cause serious side effects such as Cushing’s syndrome, with symptoms including moon face and muscle atrophy,” a spokesman for the DH explained.

 

     The DH will set up a hotline (2961 8949) for public enquiries. The hotline will operate from 9am to 5pm from tomorrow (September 11).

 

    According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), illegal possession of Part 1 poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical products are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment. In addition, the Antibiotics Ordinance (Cap 137) also prohibits illegal possession of antibiotics. Offender is liable to a maximum penalty of a $30,000 fine and one year’s imprisonment. Upon completion of the investigations, the DH will consult the Department of Justice on prosecution matters. The DH will also refer the case to the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong for consideration of possible disciplinary action.

 

    Members of the public who have been prescribed with the yellowish tablets by the above CMP who feel unwell or are in doubt should consult healthcare professionals as soon as possible. They should submit the medicines to the DH’s Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office at 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.

Hong Kong – CHP investigates outbreak of acute gastroenteritis at residential child care centre in Wan Chai District

Jul 18, 2022 | International

CHP investigates outbreak of acute gastroenteritis at residential child care centre in Wan Chai District

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (July 18) investigating an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) at a residential child care centre in Wan Chai District, and hence reminded the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene against AGE.



     The outbreak involves 18 boys and 12 girls aged 6 months to 4 years old. They developed vomiting and diarrhoea since July 13. All of them sought medical attention and 11 required hospitalisation. Seven of them have been discharged after management. All patients are in stable condition.



     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the staff of the centre concerning proper and thorough disinfection, proper disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene. The centre has been put under medical surveillance.

 

     Investigations are ongoing.



     A spokesman for the CHP advised members of the public to take heed of the following preventive 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 when disposing of vomitus or faecal matter, and wash hands afterwards;

  • Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with 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;

  • 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 patronise unlicensed food premises or food stalls.




     The public may visit the CHP’s website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the DH’s Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) for more information.