HONG KONG, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The health authority of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday urged the public and management of schools and institutions to maintain strict hygiene in view of the recent increase in local activity of acute gastroenteritis (AGE).
"Our latest surveillance data show that Hong Kong is entering the traditional season of AGE, which is a frequent cause of outbreaks in schools or institutions commonly caused by norovirus and rotavirus," said a spokesman for the Center for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health.
"AGE is highly infectious and may result in outbreaks which are difficult to control. AGE outbreaks may occur throughout the year, but are known to occur more frequently in winter," the spokesman said.
The number of institutional AGE outbreaks rose from two, affecting 11 people, in the week of Oct. 1 to eight in the week of Oct. 29, affecting 51 people.
As of Tuesday, three outbreaks, affecting 20 people, had been reported this week. Most outbreaks occurred in kindergartens and child care centers.
The department's sentinel surveillance on kindergartens and child care centers also recorded corresponding increases in AGE activity.
"We have issued letters to doctors, hospitals and schools or institutions today on the latest situation," the spokesman said, adding that schools and institutions are reminded to follow guidelines on preventive and control measures as well as management of outbreaks.
Symptoms of AGE include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever and malaise. The infection can spread through consumption of contaminated food, through direct contact with the vomitus or excreta of infected persons, or via contaminated objects.
