Students might get gastroenteritis before departing for Shaoguan exchange tours: doctor

Students of the three exchange tours to the mainland that saw gastroenteritis clusters might be infected before they left Hong Kong, infectious disease specialist Wilson Lam Wai-shun suggested.

The Education Bureau stated Wednesday that there is no evidence linking the infection to the meals they consumed, but has instructed the contracted organizing agency to stop visiting the suspected contaminated restaurant that they all dined in.

A total of 52 teachers and students from three secondary schools on an exchange tour in Shaoguan, Guangdong, developed acute gastroenteritis symptoms from March 3 to Monday. 

Speaking on a radio program on Thursday, Lam noted that norovirus activity has significantly increased in various locations worldwide this year. 

He explained that it is not surprising for students to show gastroenteritis symptoms upon arrival, as they may have contracted the virus before leaving Hong Kong.

He noted that norovirus can be transmitted through airborne particles in vomit with just a small amount, stressing the need to open the windows and thoroughly clean and disinfect the area after someone vomits.

When asked about the differences between norovirus infection and motion sickness, Lam noted that it can be determined based on how the patient feels. 

For motion sickness, individuals typically experience dizziness and discomfort from inner ear imbalance. In contrast, norovirus leads to symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, low-grade fever, and severe vomiting. 

He also reminded that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ineffective against norovirus and recommended washing hands with soap and water instead.

Lawmaker Tang Fei stated on the same program that the current guidelines for exchange groups are sufficient, with one teacher or teaching assistant for every ten students, and that medical insurance has been purchased for all participants.

The Education Bureau also noted that the contracted organizing agency was required to ensure at least one medical staff member accompanies the exchange group throughout the trip.

Meanwhile, following a series of incidents involving mainland exchange tours, including the death of a Form 5 student from St. Paul’s College in Hangzhou and a cluster of gastroenteritis outbreaks, online discussions have labeled these tours as “so dangerous.”

Sources indicated that the incident involving the student’s death should respect the family’s wishes for confidentiality, and they believe the authorities “find it difficult to address the situation publicly.”

In response to online rumors, lawmaker Chow Man-kong urged the Education Bureau to clarify the situation promptly and called for a police investigation to prevent misinformation and avoid affecting parents’ and students’ willingness to participate in mainland exchange programs.

(Cheng Wong)