A collective gastroenteritis case at Asilo de Betânia on Avenida do Conselheiro Borja (青洲大馬路) was reported to the Health Bureau (SSM) on Tuesday, with the incident involving 13 patients made up of residents and staff.
The facility run by Caritas Macau is a home for elderly men.
In a statement released that day, it was noted that the patients, comprising 12 male and one female, started exhibiting symptoms on February 26, including vomiting and abdominal pain. Most have sought medical attention and are not experiencing severe symptoms or complications, according to the statement.
Food is ruled out as the cause of the incident based on their dining patterns, the statement said, noting that it is more likely caused by a virus due to the onset timing, symptoms and their nature, as well as the incubation period.
The bureau is investigating and following up the incident. The statement added that it has provided guidance on the proper management of vomit and excrement, along with improving cleaning and disinfection, patient isolation management, and proper ventilation as part of infection control measures.
The statement noted that the norovirus and rotavirus are common, highly contagious causes of viral gastroenteritis. Symptoms from both are similar and include nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and mild fever, the statement said, with conditions generally mild and self-limiting, with complications being rare.
The bureau again emphasised in the Tuesday statement that members of the public should pay attention to personal, environmental and food hygiene.
This undated photo downloaded from the Caritas Macau website last night shows Asilo de Betânia on Avenida do Conselheiro Borja (青洲大馬路).
