Hygiene alert after visitors fall ill
Strict hygiene measures have been taken at the Paralympic Village and the Para-equestrian competition venue after three visitors were admitted to hospital due to gastroenteritis.
Two women have been confirmed with norovirus infections, while tests on the third female patient were negative for the virus, said the Centre for Health Protection.
Thorough disinfection and other hygiene measures occurred after the three cases came to light.
All visitors must wash their hands with liquid soap before entering the Royal Park Hotel, Sha Tin, site of the Paralympic Village and the Sha Tin equestrian venue.
Other measures to monitor and maintain personal hygiene have been put in place, based on health advice from the Centre for Health Protection.
The Hong Kong Equestrian Company said it had investigated the incident and ruled out the possibility of food poisoning.
'This incident will not affect competition,' a spokesman for the company said.
Two women, aged 19 and 53, developed gastroenteritis symptoms at the Paralympic Village on Sunday and Monday. Both tested positive for norovirus which causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and mild fever.
The health authority ruled out any link between the two cases and said the cause of the infection had not yet been ascertained.
Another 57-year-old woman visitor suffered stomach problems on Wednesday but tests showed the cause was not norovirus.
All the three patients were in stable condition in hospital, the authority said.
Angelika Trabert, a Para-equestrian rider from Germany, said village staff had taken great care over hygiene after the incident occurred.
