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Norovirus

250 Gastroenterology & Hepatology doctors in Hong Kong →

Also known as: Acute gastroenteritis · Viral gastroenteritis ·

Norovirus commonly causes acute gastroenteritis and is a frequent cause of food poisoning. The Centre for Health Protection gives an incubation period of 12 to 48 hours, with symptoms usually improving within one to three days; with adequate fluids and supportive care most people recover on their own. Antibiotics have no effect on it.

Hong Kong has 250 registered Gastroenterology & Hepatology doctors.

Source: Medical Council of Hong Kong register · read 2026-09-20

ok.med editorial team ·
Compiled by the editorial team from the sources listed below. Not reviewed by an individual doctor.

What is norovirus?

The Centre for Health Protection describes norovirus as a non-enveloped RNA virus of the calicivirus family. It commonly causes acute gastroenteritis and is a frequent cause of food poisoning, typically linked to undercooked shellfish.

The words “non-enveloped” explain the most practical point on this page. An envelope is a lipid layer some viruses carry, and alcohol works against those precisely by disrupting it. Norovirus has no envelope, so alcohol is far less effective against it.

How long is the incubation and the illness?

The Centre for Health Protection gives an incubation period of 12 to 48 hours. Symptoms — nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, mild fever and malaise — usually improve within one to three days.

The course of a norovirus infection
StageTimingWhat it means
IncubationUsually 12 to 48 hoursPeople who ate together often fall ill within the same day or two
SymptomsUsually improve within 1 to 3 daysNausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, mild fever and malaise
ManagementAdequate fluids and supportive careThe Centre states plainly that antibiotics have no effect

Medical Council of Hong Kong register

250 Gastroenterology & Hepatology doctors in Hong Kong

All 250 ›

The doctors below are listed from the Medical Council of Hong Kong register. This is not a recommendation, and says nothing about outcomes for this condition. Ask the doctor directly.

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Why does an alcohol hand rub not work?

The Centre for Health Protection leaves no room for doubt: because alcohol does not effectively kill norovirus, an alcohol hand rub is not a substitute for washing with liquid soap and water.

The right approach is liquid soap and water, rubbing for at least twenty seconds, especially before handling food or eating and after using the toilet. The same holds for hand, foot and mouth disease, where the Centre likewise states alcohol does not effectively kill enterovirus 71 — but not for chickenpox, where a 70 to 80 per cent alcohol rub is accepted.

For surfaces, use household bleach diluted 1 to 49 — one part 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite bleach to 49 parts water. That is the ratio for areas soiled by vomit or faeces.

Do raw oysters really need avoiding?

The Centre for Health Protection advises that susceptible groups — pregnant women, infants, young children, older people and those with weakened immunity — avoid uncooked foods such as shellfish, and raw oysters in particular.

The advice comes with figures. In February 2026 the Centre reported a marked rise in oyster-related norovirus food poisoning: from an average of about one case a week in late December 2025, to an average of four a week in January, and sixteen cases in the first five days of February.

At a glance

When an alcohol hand rub works: not agai

When an alcohol hand rub works: not against norovirus or enterovirus 71 (hand, foot and mouth disease), where soap and water is required; accepted for chickenpox at 70 to 80 per cent alcohol.
Source: Centre for Health Protection · Read the original ›

When do outbreaks peak in Hong Kong?

The Centre issues alerts on local acute gastroenteritis activity. Its January 2025 announcement recorded outbreaks rising from seven in the week to 28 December to nineteen in the week to 4 January.

Outbreaks cluster in institutional settings such as residential homes and schools. The Centre has also investigated a suspected outbreak on an arriving cruise ship and a cluster among students on an exchange trip, which indicates group activities and shared meals as the main local settings.

What is the current picture in Hong Kong?

The Centre for Health Protection publishes alerts on local activity and food poisoning cases — dated, quantified local material rather than a general seasonal reminder.

  • The Centre for Health Protection gives an incubation period of 12 to 48 hours, with symptoms usually improving within one to three days, and states that antibiotics have no effect.Centre for Health Protection: norovirus infection · read · (source)
  • The Centre states plainly that because alcohol does not effectively kill norovirus, an alcohol hand rub is no substitute for liquid soap and water, with at least twenty seconds of rubbing.Centre for Health Protection: norovirus infection · read · (source)
  • In January 2025 the Centre reported local acute gastroenteritis outbreaks rising from seven in the week to 28 December to nineteen in the week to 4 January.Centre for Health Protection urges vigilance against acute gastroenteritis (8 January 2025) · read · (source)
  • In February 2026 the Centre reported oyster-related norovirus food poisoning rising from about one case a week in late December to four a week in January, with sixteen cases in the first five days of February.Marked recent rise in norovirus-related food poisoning (5 February 2026) · read · (source)

When should a doctor be seen?

  • Signs of dehydration: much less urine, dry cracked lips, extreme thirst, dizziness, or crying without tears.
  • Vomiting persistent enough to prevent keeping fluids down.
  • Blood in the stool, or high fever with severe abdominal pain.
  • Gastroenteritis in an infant, an older person, a pregnant woman or someone with weakened immunity warrants early care rather than watchful waiting.
  • Symptoms not improving after three days — the Centre notes they usually improve within one to three.

Each has its own page and doctor list

Conditions related to Norovirus

By district

Which districts have Gastroenterology & Hepatology doctors?

Frequently asked questions

Will an alcohol hand rub do?
No. The Centre states plainly that alcohol does not effectively kill norovirus and that a hand rub is no substitute for liquid soap and water — rub for at least twenty seconds.
How long until it settles?
The Centre says symptoms usually improve within one to three days, and that with adequate fluids and supportive care most people recover on their own.
Do antibiotics help?
No. The Centre states plainly that antibiotics have no effect. Norovirus is a virus; antibiotics act on bacteria.
How should vomit be cleaned up?
Disinfect with household bleach diluted 1 to 49 — one part 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts water — and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.
Who should avoid raw oysters?
The Centre advises pregnant women, infants, young children, older people and those with weakened immunity to avoid uncooked foods such as shellfish, and raw oysters in particular.
Is someone still infectious after recovering?
Norovirus spreads by the faecal-oral route, so handwashing after the toilet and before handling food remains important even once symptoms have settled — particularly in institutional settings.

Sources

  1. Centre for Health Protection: norovirus infection — cause, transmission, incubation, symptoms, management and prevention. Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health ()
  2. Government press release: the Centre urges vigilance against acute gastroenteritis — local outbreak figures. HKSAR Government Press Release (8 January 2025) ()
  3. Government press release: marked recent rise in norovirus-related food poisoning — oyster-related figures. HKSAR Government Press Release (5 February 2026) ()
  4. Centre for Health Protection: viral gastroenteritis feature. Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health ()

This page is compiled from the Hong Kong official sources listed above. It is general information only — not a diagnosis, a treatment recommendation or medical advice, and no substitute for seeing a doctor. If you are unsure or your condition changes, consult a registered doctor.