***************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of food poisoning involving 10 people.
The group comprised 10 men aged from 18 to 63. They developed vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and nausea about one to five hours after consuming turkey in the early morning of December 27. The turkey was purchased from a restaurant in Central in the morning of December 26.
They went to the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Caritas Medical Centre for treatment. None of them required hospitalisation.
The CHP's initial investigations showed that bacterial infection could be the likely cause of the outbreak. Further investigation is in progress.
The CHP reminded the public to observe good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases. They are advised to consume take-away food as soon as possible, not to keep it at room temperature for more than two hours, and to reheat food thoroughly before consumption.
Members of the trade are reminded to:
* Obtain food ingredients 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;
* Keep cold dishes at 4℃ or below and hot-served foods at 60℃ or above over warming devices;
* Avoid leaving food at room temperature for more than two hours; and
* Observe good personal and environmental hygiene.
Ends/Friday, December 28, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:24
NNNN
