CHP urges public to remain vigilant as cases of acute gastroenteritis increase in institutions and schools
In view of the recent surge in local acute gastroenteritis (AGE) activity, including AGE outbreaks in institutions and schools, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 29) urged the public to remain vigilant, and maintain good personal, environmental and food hygiene to minimise the risk of infection.
"The CHP's surveillance data shows that AGE outbreaks in institutions and schools have been steadily increasing over the past few weeks. During the first two weeks of January (January 4 to 10 and January 11 to 17), the CHP recorded three cases (involving 18 persons) and seven cases (involving 46 persons) respectively. Last week (January 18 to 24), another 11 cases were recorded, with the number of persons affected surging to 86. The first four days of this week (January 25 to 28) have already seen three outbreaks, involving 23 persons. Furthermore, according to the CHP's sentinel surveillance data, the AGE activity level has also shown an upward trend recently in Family Medicine Clinics, private medical practitioner clinics and child care centres/kindergartens," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
"AGE outbreaks occur throughout the year, but are generally more common in the winter. It is anticipated that the local AGE activity level in Hong Kong will continue to rise in the short term. Members of the public must maintain good personal, environmental and food hygiene to minimise the risk of infection," he added.
AGE can be caused by various viruses, with the norovirus being the most common one. It is highly infectious, and susceptible individuals can be infected by exposure to even a small amount of the norovirus. The virus can be transmitted through various channels such as eating contaminated food, contact with vomitus or faecal matter of infected persons, and contact with contaminated objects, which may lead to a large-scale outbreak. Vomiting in a confined space with suboptimal ventilation poses a potential risk for an outbreak. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to properly and promptly clean up vomitus, and thoroughly disinfect the environment.
The CHP will issue letters to doctors, institutions, schools, kindergartens and child care centres to update them on the latest AGE situation and reminded management of institutions to follow the Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases on preventive and control measures. In case there are AGE outbreaks, they should report them to the CHP as soon as possible for immediate follow up.
Dr Tsui reminded members of the public that alcohol-based handrub should not substitute hand hygiene with liquid soap and water, as alcohol does not effectively kill some viruses frequently causing AGE, e.g. norovirus. Members of the public should take heed of the following preventive measures against gastroenteritis:
- Ensure proper personal hygiene;
- Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating, after using the toilet or after changing diapers;
- Wear gloves and wash hands after handling vomitus or faecal matter;
- Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with 1:49 diluted household bleach (by adding one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water). Wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
- Stay home from work or school, and seek medical advice if suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea;
- Maintain good indoor ventilation;
- Pay attention to food hygiene;
- Use separate utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
- Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked;
- Do not patronise unlicensed food premises or food stalls.
Members of the public may visit the CHP's webpages for more information and preventive advice on Viral Gastroenteritis and norovirus infection.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP), Photo source: reference image
Update on chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 29), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.
Latest surveillance data
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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.
Continuously strengthening prevention and control
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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments (including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Kwai Tsing District Office, Lands Department, Drainage Services Department, and Civil Engineering and Development Department) have been continuously conducting comprehensive mosquito control and environmental remediation work along the trails. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date.
The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local cases, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:
- carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
- carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and
- enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.
The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
- read the label instructions carefully first;
- apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
- apply on exposed skin and clothing;
- use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
- apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
- reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
- in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page, Instagram Account and YouTube Channel, and also the Mosquito Prevention and Control dedicated page of the FEHD.
Source: AI-created image
