Hong Kong students hit by gastroenteritis on another mainland study trip

Several Hong Kong students from a group of 120 attending an exchange tour to Zhaoqing in mainland China have developed gastroenteritis symptoms, with their school becoming the 10th to report similar health issues this month.

Po Leung Kuk Lo Kit Sing (1983) College said on Saturday that some students and teachers had started vomiting and developing fevers on Friday evening. The school did not disclose the exact number.

“The school subsequently arranged for students and teachers to receive treatment in local hospitals. Both students and teachers are in stable condition after diagnosis,” said Law Wing-chung, principal of the school in Tsing Yi.

More than 100 students from nine other schools were already reported to have fallen ill with the same symptoms during exchange trips in recent weeks.

Those in the latest outbreak were among 120 Form Five students taking part in a three-day exchange tour to Zhaoqing in Guangdong province.

The Education Bureau also confirmed the cases. A spokesman said a task force responding to the recent cases among city students on exchange tours to the mainland had been looking into the case.

“The Education Bureau has immediately contacted the school and the tour organiser to understand the students’ condition and provide support, including requiring the organiser to disinfect the tour coach, move accommodation for students displaying symptoms to prevent cross infection and provide disinfection equipment,” the spokesman said.