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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 24) called on members of the public to be on guard against food-borne diseases.
The plea came after CHP received four reports of suspected food poisoning outbreak involving 20 people, seven males and 13 females aged between 10 and 60, who had taken buffet meals at a hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui between August 20 and 23.
The first group involved eight people, three males and five females aged from 10 to 49, while the second group comprised one man and two women between the ages of 17 to 49. Both groups had buffet dinner in the hotel on August 20.
The third group involved seven people, two men and five women aged from 15 to 38, and the fourth group comprised a 28-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man. They had lunch buffet there on August 22 and August 23 respectively.
They developed diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting three to 24 hours after the meals.
Their symptoms were generally mild. Eight of them sought medical treatments from private doctors. Seven others approached the Accident and Emergency Departments of public hospitals for treatment and one of them was hospitalized in stable condition.
Investigation is 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/Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Issued at HKT 21:56
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