The Department of Health (DH) is investigating a gastroenteritis outbreak involving 88 passengers and four crew members on board a cruise-ship which arrived in Hong Kong this morning (May 30).
The cruise-ship, carrying 639 passengers and 465 crew members, departed for Hong Kong from Singapore on May 20. During the voyage, the ship stopped over in Ko Samui and Bangkok of Thailand as well as Ho Chi Ming City and Da Nang of Vietnam.oHong Kong
A DH spokesman said staff from the Port Health Office and the Centre for Health Protection boarded the ship to conduct investigation and advise control measures this morning.
Initial investigations revealed that 88 passengers (44 male and 44 female, aged from three to 83 years) and four crew members developed symptoms of gastroenteritis including watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and fever between May 21 and 29.
None of them required hospitalisation. Seventy of them have already recovered while the others are in stable condition after treatment by the doctor on board the ship.
Samples from the patients will be collected for laboratory examination. Further investigation and medical surveillance are on-going.
The spokesman said health advice had been provided to the passengers and crew members.
"People suffering from gastroenteritis on board cruise-ship should report to ship's medical staff immediately," he said.
The ship will be thoroughly disinfected before boarding of further passengers. The crew of the ship has also been advised to observe personal and food hygiene.
The spokesman called on cruise industry to be vigilant for gastroenteritis among passengers and crew. They are advised to publicise proper hand-washing techniques among persons on board and report illness as soon as possible.
"Thorough disinfection of the ship during cruises, especially frequently touched surfaces such as handrails and elevator buttons should be carried out during cruises and housekeepers should ensure adequate disinfection of vomitus (1 part of 5% household bleach in 49 parts of water)," the spokesman said.
To prevent contracting gastroenteritis, travellers are advised to-
* Ensure proper personal hygiene;
* Wash hands thoroughly before eating and after using toilet or handling vomitus or faecal matter;
* Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked.
Members of the public can obtain more information on the prevention of gastroenteritis from DH's website (http://www.dh.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Unit hotline, 2833 0111.
For the latest information on infectious diseases in other places and relevant preventive measures, members of the public may visit DH's Hong Kong Travel Health Service Website http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, May 30, 2007