The Department of Health has confirmed a new outbreak of gastroenteritis among 10 students and a staff member of the Church of Christ in China Kei Tsun Primary School in Yau Tsim Mong district.

The ten showed symptoms of vomiting, fever, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Results of stool samples are pending.

The department is investigating and put the school under medical surveillance. The school head was instructed to adopt preventive measures and carry out proper disinfection according to the department's guidelines.

The department is closely monitoring the situation of viral gastroenteritis caused by Norwalk-like virus, as Hong Kong enters the high season for the disease.

Its hotline, 2961 8966, had received 257 public requests for information on the disease and preventive measures.

Good hygiene key to preventing gastroenteritis

The department stressed the importance of personal, food and environmental hygiene in preventing gastroenteritis outbreaks in institutional settings.

The public should:

* wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating and after using the toilet or handling vomit or fecal matter;

* wear gloves when disposing of vomit and faeces and wash hands afterwards;

* clean and disinfect contaminated areas and items promptly and thoroughly with household bleach diluted in a ratio of 1 in 49 units of water;

* maintain good indoor ventilation;

* make sure that food, particularly seafood and shellfish, is cooked thoroughly.

Students suffering from viral gastroenteritis should stay home until they recover.