8 members of Hong Kong study tour to mainland China infected with norovirus
Another 13 from Po Leung Kuk Lo Kit Sing (1983) College who went on exchange tour to Zhaoqing displaying symptoms of virus
At least eight members of a Hong Kong school group who visited mainland China were infected with norovirus and another 13 were displaying symptoms consistent with the stomach bug, city health authorities said on Sunday.
The Centre for Health Protection said 135 teachers and students from Po Leung Kuk Lo Kit Sing (1983) College in Tsing Yi went on a three-day exchange tour to Zhaoqing in Guangdong province on Thursday.
The 20 students and one teacher developed symptoms compatible with norovirus infection, including vomiting, diarrhoea and fever between 11am on Friday and 8am the next day, it said.
Among them, 18 sought medical attention in Zhaoqing.
All were in stable condition and had been discharged. Eight tested positive for norovirus.
According to the centre’s preliminary investigation, the 21 individuals had group meals but did not otherwise eat any of the same food. There had not been any outbreak of acute gastroenteritis at the school recently, it said.
The centre said it could not rule out that the cases were related to eating contaminated food.