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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 15) reminded people to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The appeal was made following CHP's investigation into five suspected food poisoning cases involving a restaurant in Yau Ma Tei, affecting a total of 21 people.
In the first case, six men and three women aged between 17 and 21, developed gastroenteritis symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea about seven to 22 hours after having a meal at the restaurant on July 11. Three of those affected consulted private doctors or Accident and Emergency Department of public hospital. No hospitalisation was required.
CHP today received notification of four other cases, affecting four clusters of people comprising three men and nine women aged between 17 and 30. They respectively developed similar gastroenteritis symptoms about three to 41 hours after having a meal at the same restaurant between July 11 and 14. Six sought medical treatment from private doctors or Accident and Emergency Department of public hospitals. One of them was hospitalised.
Further investigation is in progress.
When dining out, people 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/Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:01
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