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    The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating three cases of suspected food poisoning involving 13 people who had dined at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui. The last case was notified today (August 18).

    The affected persons, in three groups, comprised eight men and five women aged between 24 and 60. They developed diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting about three to 12 hours after having their meals in the same restaurant.

    Two of them, both female aged 30, dined in the restaurant on August 7 while seven others comprising four men and three women aged from 25 to 60, had dinner there on August 14. Four other men, aged 24 to 38, dined there on August 17.

    Two of the affected persons sought treatment at Government Out-patients Clinics and four others consulted private practitioners. The remaining did not seek medical consultation. All are in stable condition. None required hospitalisation.

    CHP's investigations suggested that bacterial contamination was the likely cause for these outbreaks.

    Further investigations are in progress.

    CHP reminded members of the public, especially food handlers, to observe good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases. They are advised to take the following measures:

* Clean and cook food thoroughly before consumption, particularly crustacean and bivalve seafood such as shrimp, crab, oysters and clams;

* Wash hands before eating and after going to toilet;

* Handle raw and cooked food with separate utensils to prevent cross contamination;

* Keep raw and cooked food separately;

* Store food in refrigerator (at 4 degree Celsius or below) and adequately reheat leftover food before consumption; and

* Keep the environment clean.

Ends/Thursday, August 18, 2005

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