CDC urges precautions against gastroenteritis
By Hou Chia-yu and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Tuesday urged people to take precautions against gastroenteritis during the Mid-Autumn Festival, when barbecues, family gatherings and outings are popular.
People planning to barbecue during the holiday should use fresh ingredients, keep raw and cooked food separate, cook food thoroughly and ensure that people handling food wash their hands properly, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Kuo Hung-wei (郭宏偉) said.
Kuo said that 126,419 people sought outpatient or emergency treatment for acute diarrhea nationwide last week, roughly unchanged from the previous week.
A person flips a zucchini at tabletop grill in an undated photograph.
Photo: Chang Hsuen-che, Taipei Times
The number of diarrhea cases was relatively high, with 70 outbreaks reported nationwide over the past four weeks, concentrated in the food and hospitality industries, he said.
Pathogens were detected in 28 of the 70 outbreaks. Of those, 25, or 89.3 percent, were viral, all involving norovirus, while three, or 10.7 percent, were bacterial, with two involving Staphylococcus aureus and one involving Salmonella, Kuo said.
August norovirus testing showed that GII.17 was the predominant circulating genotype, accounting for about 34.2 percent of cases, he said.
CDC Deputy Director-General Lin Ming-cheng (林明誠) said that one of the most common mistakes in food preparation is cross-contamination of raw and cooked food.
For example, using the same tongs or plates that have come into contact with raw meat to handle cooked food can increase the risk of cross-contamination, as can allowing raw food to come into contact with cooked food, Lin said.
People should use separate cutting boards, knives and utensils when handling raw meat, seafood and vegetables, and keep raw and cooked food separate, he said.
Food should be thoroughly cooked before being eaten, not served partially raw or undercooked, he said.
Norovirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by consuming contaminated food or water, or through contact with infected people or contaminated surfaces, Lin said.
People should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and running water, particularly after using the toilet, before eating and before preparing food, he said, adding that alcohol-based hand sanitizers should not be considered a substitute for handwashing.
People with symptoms of gastroenteritis, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain, should avoid preparing food for others or attending gatherings, seek medical attention as soon as possible and stay home to rest, the CDC said.
They should also drink plenty of fluids, and replenish electrolytes and nutrients to prevent dehydration. Those who must go out should wear a mask and maintain good hand hygiene to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to family members and others, it said.
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