CHP reminds public to be vigilant in preventing norovirus when travelling outside Hong Kong
In view of a recent outbreak of norovirus infection in Japan after consuming contaminated lunch boxes, the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui, today (April 14) reminded the public to stay vigilant and pay attention to personal, environmental and food hygiene to minimise the risk of food poisoning when travelling.
"According to the Japanese authorities, 72 people developed food poisoning symptoms including diarrhoea, fever and vomiting after consuming lunch boxes provided by a catering service in the southern Tochigi on April 9, and one of them died with the cause of death yet to be ascertained. Investigations by the authorities concerned found that the stool samples collected from the affected patients and the staff of the catering service were tested positive for norovirus. As Japan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the vicinity of Hong Kong, and the activity of norovirus in Japan this year is higher than that in the same period in the past five years, I would like to appeal to those who are planning to visit or are currently visiting Japan to remain vigilant and maintain personal, environmental and food hygiene at all times to minimise the risk of being infected," Dr Tsui said.
"Norovirus is highly contagious and individuals may become infected after being exposed to even a small amount of norovirus. The virus can be transmitted through various means, such as eating contaminated food, contacting with the vomit or excreta of infected persons, and contacting with contaminated objects. It may lead to a large-scale outbreak. Since alcohol is not effective in killing norovirus, alcohol-based handrubs are not a substitute for handwashing with soap and water," he added.
Symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, mild fever and malaise. Most patients usually recover on their own and symptoms usually improve within one to three days.
To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are advised to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene. When eating out, the following points should be observed:
- Avoid eating raw seafood;
- Be careful in choosing cold cuts, including sashimi, sushi and oysters in buffets;
- Use pasteurised eggs, egg products or egg powders when preparing dishes using slightly cooked or uncooked eggs;
- Patronise reliable and licensed restaurants;
- Store and reheat pre-cooked or leftover food properly before consumption;
- When having hot pots or barbecuing, make sure the food is thoroughly cooked before eating;
- Handle raw and cooked food with care and separate them thoroughly during the cooking process;
- Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked food separately;
- Do not patronise unlicensed food stalls;
- Do not attempt to sterilise food by using salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi as they are not effective in sterilising food; and
- Wash hands before eating and after using the toilet.
Members of the public may visit the CHP's webpages for more information and preventive advice onnorovirus infection.
Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for Welfare Sector 2026-27 invites applications
The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced that the full-time Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for the Welfare Sector 2026-27 is inviting applications starting today (January 12). The programme, which will last for two years, with a total of 427 places, aims to train students to become enrolled nurses to alleviate the shortage of nurses in the welfare sector and enhance the quality of care services.
In response to the keen demand for nurses in the welfare sector, the SWD has commissioned the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Saint Francis University and the Tung Wah College to provide the Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for the Welfare Sector for five consecutive years starting from the 2023-24 academic year.
An SWD spokesman said, "Applicants for the programme must be permanent Hong Kong residents with right of abode in Hong Kong and have attained the age of 18 by the time the training programme commences. They must also have attained Level2 or above in five subjects, including Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and any two other subjects in Categories A (Note) and B, in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination; or an equivalent qualification. Applicants are also required to take note of other entry requirements as specified by respective training institutes."
The spokesman added, "To encourage young people and frontline staff currently serving the welfare sector to upgrade their professional skills, priority will be accorded to applicants who have successfully completed the two-year Diploma Programme and obtained the diploma under the Navigation Scheme for Young Persons in Care Services launched in 2015 (or under the First-hire-then-train Pilot Scheme from 2013 to 2016) by the SWD; or those who are currently working full-time in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or private organisations providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, youth or correctional services. Individuals who aspire to pursue a career as enrolled nurses in the welfare sector are also welcome."
Tuition fees will be reimbursed to trainees in full on the condition that they have successfully completed the training programme and qualified to register as enrolled nurses within two years. Trainees will be required to sign an undertaking to work as an Enrolled Nurse (General) in NGOs or private organisations recognised by the SWD for providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, or correctional services for a continuous period of no less than three years after completion of the training.
Information seminars on the training programme will be held by the three institutes starting from January. Details of the information seminars are set out in the table below:
Training institute |
Date and time of information seminar |
Website |
Enquiry number |
Hong Kong Metropolitan University |
2pm,
January 27 |
Programme content (Chinese only)
www.hkmu.edu.hk/nhs/tc/programmes-courses/nursing-and-health-studies/sub-degree-programmes/hdngf1_hdngosf1/
Application
admissions.hkmu.edu.hk/ug/online-application |
3970 2928 /
3970 2957 |
Saint Francis University |
3pm, February 6 |
Programme content
www.sfu.edu.hk/en/programmes/sub-degree-programmes/higher-diploma-in-enrolled-nursing-general-hden-swd/introduction/index.html
Application
onlineapplication.sfu.edu.hk/oa/admission/hdenswdForm |
3702 4388 |
Tung Wah College |
3.30pm, January 28 |
Programme content
www.twc.edu.hk/en/Programmes/hdn_swd
Application
www.twc.edu.hk/admission/ |
3190 6672 |
Applications will be closed at 5pm on March 2. For enquiries, please call the enquiry numbers of the training institutes.
Note: "Attained" in Citizenship and Social Development will be accepted as Level 2.
Source: AI-found images
