The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said today (21st) that according to the latest surveillance data of the Centre, the number of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in residential care homes/schools has increased in the past few weeks, from 6 cases in the week ending June 3 to 9 cases last week, involving 17 people infected, and as of yesterday (130th) this week, 20 outbreak cases (involving 13 people) have been reported in three days.

The epidemiological investigation of the CFS showed that the above-mentioned acute gastroenteritis outbreak was more likely to be caused by human-to-human transmission or environmental pollution, and food poisoning was ruled out. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) urges members of the public to be vigilant and prevent infection.

According to the latest surveillance data of the Centre, the number of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in residential care homes/schools has increased in the past few weeks, from 6 cases in the week ended 3 June to 9 cases in the week ended 17 June, involving 130 people infected, and 20 outbreak cases (involving 13 people) have been reported in three days as of yesterday (124th) this week.

Most cases occur in childcare centres or kindergartens

From the week ending 6 June to yesterday, most of the cases occurred in child care centres or kindergartens, with at least one-third, i.e. 3 cases (involving 13 people) being caused by norovirus. The epidemiological investigation of the Centre showed that the above-mentioned acute gastroenteritis outbreak was more likely to be caused by human-to-human transmission or environmental pollution, and food poisoning has been ruled out.

According to the Centre for Health Protection, acute gastroenteritis is mostly caused by viruses, the most common being norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, etc., which are generally more common in winter, and the infection routes include contact with the vomit or feces of patients, contact with contaminated environment or objects, and can also be transmitted by virus foam produced during vomiting, urging the public to be vigilant and prevent infection.

Most cases of acute gastroenteritis came from child care centres or kindergartens this month. (Profile photo/Photo by Su Weiran)

Pediatrician: caused by norovirus Handle vomit carefully

Pediatrician Liu Chengzhi said that the activity of acute gastroenteritis has been repeated repeatedly in recent months, and it has not stopped from February to Yijia. He estimated that this was not related to the change in weather, but because the new crown pneumonia epidemic stabilized, children removed their masks and returned to school increased the possibility of cross-transmission.
He also pointed out that he noticed that the source of many outbreaks in recent days was that some people were infected first and vomited at school, reminding that some viruses that often cause acute gastroenteritis, such as norovirus, may not be effectively killed by alcohol, so when handling vomit and excrement, alcohol-based hand sanitizer cannot replace the use of liquid and water to clean hands.

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