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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating today (September 14) two reports of suspected food poisoning involving 10 people who felt sick after having dinner in a food premises in Sha Tin.
In the first case, four men and a woman aged from 23 to 24 developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea about 18 to 25 hours after having dinner in a food premises in Sha Tin on September 11.
Two of them attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hospital and no hospitalisation was required.
In the second case, five other persons, four men and one woman aged from 26 to 35, developed similar symptoms and fever about 14 to 32 hours after having dinner in the same premises on the same evening.
Three of them sought medical treatment from private doctors and no hospitalisation was needed.
Further 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:
* Do not consume food that has been discoloured or tastes abnormal;
* Consume the take-away food as soon as possible;
* Do not keep it under room temperature for more than two hours;
* Reheat the food thoroughly before consumption; and
* Wash hands thoroughly before eating and after going to the toilet.
Members of the trade are reminded to:
* Obtain raw materials from reliable sources;
* Clean and cook food thoroughly before serving, particularly crustacean and bivalve seafood such as shrimp, crab, oysters and clams;
* Keep raw and cooked foods separately to reduce the risk of cross-contamination;
* Cold dishes should be kept at 4℃ or below and hot-served foods, at 60℃ or above over warming devices;
* Food should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours; and
* Observe good personal and environmental hygiene.
Ends/Friday, September 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:03
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