**************************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 17) investigating two reports of suspected food poisoning involving 10 people who felt sick after having a dinner buffet in a hotel in Sha Tin.
In the first cluster, the affected people comprised seven men aged from 23 to 41 who developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea about four to 19 hours after taking the dinner buffet in a hotel restaurant on October 12. Two of them sought medical treatment from private doctors while two others sought treatment at the Accident and Emergency Departments of Caritas Medical Centre and Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital respectively.
The second cluster involved two women and a man aged from 30 to 70. They developed diarrhoea and vomiting about 15 to 21 hours after taking the dinner buffet in the same restaurant on the same day. Two of them sought medical attention from private doctors.
All those affected are in stable condition and none required hospitalisation.
CHP's initial investigations showed that bacteria could be the likely cause for the outbreak. Further investigation is in progress.
CHP reminded the public, especially food handlers, to observe good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
People are advised to take the following measures:
* Patronise licensed food premises with good reputation;
* Do not consume food that has been discoloured or tastes abnormal;
* The elderly, children and people with low immunity should avoid consuming raw and cold foods and high-risk items such as oysters, sashimi, sushi and salads;
* Wash hands thoroughly before getting food and eating them; and
* Use separate utensils such as tongs and plates provided by the food premises to handle raw and cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination.
Ends/Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:57
NNNN
