The Health Bureau (SSM) said in a statement yesterday that a nursery in Rua do Mercado de Iao Hon has reported a collective stomach flu case involving five children.
According to the statement, the five children, all of them aged one, are in the same nursery class. The statement noted that the first patient showed stomach flu symptoms, scientifically known as gastroenteritis, last Tuesday, adding that the other children started to vomit and have diarrhoea between Wednesday and Sunday.
The statement said that most of the children were taken to a clinic, but there were no serious or hospitalised patient cases. According to the statement, after investigation, the bureau said it believed that the case was not related to food poisoning but caused by a virus. However, further testing was required to determine the exact cause of the cases.
The statement noted that the norovirus and rotavirus are common causes of stomach flu, pointing out that they are usually active during the autumn and winter months. The statement stressed that the norovirus is highly contagious, especially in retirement homes and schools and through contaminated food or water. The statement noted that the norovirus has a 24 to 48 hour incubation period.
Furthermore, the statement underlined that rotavirus is more common among children aged six months to two years. The statement also said that the two viruses have similar symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach ache and fever, adding that the illness could last for up to five days.
The bureau urged people to be more aware of personal hygiene and not to attend work or school if they have symptoms of stomach flu. The statement said that if there are any multiple cases of stomach flu at a particular venue, please contact 2870 0800.
