Health Authorities Investigate Gastroenteritis Cluster at Wong Chuk Hang Training Institute

2026-03-07 16:36 Last Updated At：16:48

CHP investigates cluster of acute gastroenteritis cases at training institute in Wong Chuk Hang

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (March 7) investigating a cluster of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) at a training institute in Wong Chuk Hang, and reminded the public to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne illnesses.

As of noon today, the cluster involves 53 trainees (48 males and five female) aged between 20 and 40. They developed symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever from the evening of March 5 onwards. Among those affected, 33 individuals sought medical attention. All cases are mild, requiring no hospitalisation. They are currently in stable condition.

The CHP is investigating the cluster of AGE cases from multiple angles, including the possibility of transmission via contaminated food, environment exposure or person-to-person contact. Preliminary investigation indicated that all affected individuals are boarding students at the institute who had shared meals multiple times at the institute's food premises prior to falling ill. Currently, the CHP cannot rule out the possibility that some patients may have contracted AGE from consuming contaminated food. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been notified for follow-up investigation. Officers of the FEHD (including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety and the Environmental Hygiene Branch) immediately visited the food premises concerned to investigate and inspect the handling processes and food hygiene, and collected samples for testing. As a precautionary measure, the officers of the Centre for Food Safety have also directed the food premises to thoroughly clean and disinfect the premises, and provided health education related to food safety and environmental hygiene to the staff of the premises.

The CHP will continue its epidemiological investigation and take appropriate follow-up actions, including collecting stool samples from patients for laboratory testing to identify the pathogen of this outbreak. The CHP officers have inspected the institute and provided the institute with recommended infection control measures. The CHP will put the institute under medical surveillance.

"AGE can be caused by a number of different pathogens, including bacteria such asSalmonellaandVibrio parahaemolyticus, and viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus. AGE may occur in all ages. 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," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

Members of the public should take heed of the following preventive measures against gastroenteritis:

Ensure proper personalhygiene;

Wash hands thoroughlybefore 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;

Drink boiled water; and

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.

Youth Recognition Ceremony Celebrates Resilience and Achievements of Disadvantaged Children and Teens

Recognition ceremony commends children and adolescents for outstanding performance and resilience in face of adversity

The Director of Social Welfare (DSW), Mr Edward To, attended the 2026 Aspiring Youth Recognition Ceremony today (March 7) with the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), Mr Orlando Ho, to meet with about 180 children and youths who were wards of the DSW and those receiving residential care from the TWGHs. The ceremony recognised their remarkable progress and accomplishments in academics, conduct, sports, arts, and community services. Mr To encouraged them to keep striving forward and bravely pursue their dreams.

Addressing the event, Mr To said that every award recipient tells a touching story of resilience in the face of adversity, demonstrating extraordinary courage and tenacity amid life challenges as well as forging the qualities of self-discipline, confidence, and self-reliance in a difficult environment. Some of them have all the more attained exceptional achievements, setting a good example for other children and youths. Their performances are truly commendable.

Mr To also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers, volunteers, and social workers at the event for their companionship and support in the personal growth of these disadvantaged children and youths. Their care and love have allowed these children and youths to grow up in a nurturing family setting and instilled in them a positive outlook on life, which is of immeasurable value to their future.

At the ceremony today, 42 children and youths were awarded the Best Achievement Award or the Best Progress Award.

Eighteen-year-old Sing is one of the recipients of the Best Achievement Award. Sing lost parental care at a young age and became a ward of the DSW when he was four. Growing up in a devoted foster family, he has been overcoming different challenges in life with resilience and a positive attitude. With excellent academic performance and personal conduct, Sing also has a strong passion for music. He excels in vocal performance and is talented at playing the piano and violin, obtaining a level 4 diploma in singing from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, along with grade 8 piano and grade 5 violin qualifications. In recent years, he has showcased his extraordinary musical talent and earned notable awards in international and local music contests, including the first prize in the piano category at the 2025 Australian International Music Competition - Sound of Music and multiple accolades in three other competitions, namely the 2025 GASCA Japan International Music Competition in Tokyo, IYACC Hong Kong-Taiwan International Music Competition, and the Seventh Hong Kong Youth and Children Music Competition of the Hong Kong Youth and Children Talent Association. Sing received a scholarship from the Changing Young Lives Foundation this year to support his continued development in the musical arena, in which his efforts and talents have been recognised. He plans to give back to society through his music and knowledge in the future and inspire other teenagers with a similar underprivileged background to lead a fruitful life through personal endeavour and a positive attitude.

Another awardee of the Best Achievement Award is 16-year-old Ah Ming (pseudonym). Coming from a single-parent family, Ah Ming has been receiving residential care services since the age of 5 due to his mother's chronic illness. Under the meticulous care of a small group home of TWGHs, he has gradually developed self-discipline, confidence, and a sense of responsibility. On top of proactively taking care of younger peers at the small group home, Ah Ming has shown significant progress in academics, behaviour, and social skills. He is also enthusiastic about sports and actively participates in his school's athletics team training. With his persevering character, Ah Ming represented his school in the 16th Hong Kong Tug of War Open Tournament last year and secured the second place in his team's category, winning glory for his school. His artistic talents are equally outstanding, and his ceramic works have been selected for public exhibitions.

Children and adolescents are made wards of the DSW for various reasons that rendered them unable or unsuitable to live with their family members. Prioritising the best interests of children and adolescents, the Social Welfare Department's social workers will, depending on individual case circumstances, apply for wardship for a case in accordance with the court procedures stipulated in the Protection of Children and Juveniles Ordinance (Cap. 213 of the Laws of Hong Kong) and draw up appropriate long-term welfare plans for them, such as arranging for adoption or reunion with their families, or preparing them to live independently when they become adults. As at the end of December 2025, a total of 788 children and youths were made wards of the DSW.

Health Authorities Investigate Gastroenteritis Cluster at Wong Chuk Hang Training Institute

HK

Health Authorities Investigate Gastroenteritis Cluster at Wong Chuk Hang Training Institute

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