**************************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 7) reminded members of the public to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The appeal was made following CHP¡¦s investigation into two suspected food poisoning cases involving a restaurant in Sai Kung.
In the first case, six men and eight women, aged between 27 and 56, developed gastroenteritis symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea about two to 40 hours after having a meal at the restaurant on July 5.
The second case involved four women aged between 28 and 32. They developed similar gastroenteritis symptoms about 14 to 17 hours after having a meal at the same restaurant on July 5.
Eleven of them sought medical treatment from private doctors, general outpatient clinic and Accident and Emergency Department of public hospitals. No hospitalisation was required.
Further investigation is in progress.
A CHP spokesman said three suspected food poisoning cases involving this restaurant have been reported since early June this year. The first case affected one man and seven women, aged between 25 and 51, who developed gastroenteritis symptoms about five to 34 hours after having a meal at the restaurant on June 13. None of them required hospitalisation.
When dining out, members of the public should:
* Patronise only reputable and licensed restaurants;
* Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
* Cook food thoroughly;
* Avoid eating raw seafood;
* Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi and raw oysters in a buffet;
* Drink boiled water;
* Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
* Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective;
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to toilet.
Ends/Monday, July 7, 2008
Issued at HKT 23:03
NNNN
