Another mainland study tour hit by gastro outbreak

Michael Shum

Health authorities are investigating a norovirus outbreak after 20 students and a teacher fell ill with acute gastroenteritis on a study tour in the mainland.

According to officials, a group of 135 comprising teachers and students from a secondary school in Tsing Yi went on a three-day exchange tour to Zhaoqing last Thursday. Reports say the school was Po Leung Kuk Lo Kit Sing (1983) College.

Responding to media inquiries, the Centre for Health Protection said in a statement that 20 students and a teacher began developing symptoms compatible with norovirus infection last Friday, including vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.

Among them, 18 patients sought medical attention in Zhaoqing. All are in stable condition and have been discharged, and eight have tested positive for norovirus.

The CHP said it is looking into the possible source of the norovirus outbreak from different aspects, including the possibility of person-to-person transmission, contaminated food or the environment.

Preliminary investigations revealed that all 21 affected individuals had not consumed any common food items other than the group meals and that there has been no recent outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in the school.

"After analysis of the onset time of the cases, at this stage, the center could not preliminarily rule out that the cases were infected by consuming contaminated food," CHP said.

The center has notified the Guangdong health authority about their findings and has been informed that mainland has begun an investigation into the case.

The CHP said it has provided health advice to the affected school on the transmission, prevention and infection control measures related to acute gastroenteritis.

It will continue to investigate, including collecting stool specimens for laboratory testing.

The Education Bureau said it has immediately and rigorously followed up on the incident with relevant mainland departments through a task force.

The bureau also said it has promptly contacted the school and the study tour service provider to assess the students' situation and provide support.

Measures include requiring the service provider to disinfect the tour bus, rearranging accommodations for symptomatic students to prevent cross-infection and supplying disinfectant products.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com