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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving 10 persons.
The affected are schoolchildren, comprising four boys and six girls aged from eight to twelve, of a primary school in Southern District. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms, including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever about one to thirteen hours after having lunch at the school on June 18.
Two of them consulted private doctors and no hospitalisation was required.
Further investigation is in progress.
CHP reminded people, especially food handlers, to observe good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
Members of the public 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 food 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/Thursday, June 19, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:11
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