**************************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 8) reminded people to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The appeal was made following CHP's investigation into four suspected food poisoning cases affecting a total of 54 people.
The first two cases involved a restaurant in Sheung Wan affecting two groups of 12 people (which comprised four men and eight women aged between six and 49). They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever about 10 to 52 hours after having meals at the restaurant on August 4.
Nine of them sought medical attention from private doctors, private hospitals or the Accident and Emergency Department of public hospitals. No hospitalisation was required.
In the third case, 10 people in a tour group, including four men and six women aged from 15 to 76, were affected. They joined a tour group to the Mainland between August 4 and 5 and developed gastroenteritis symptoms. Six of them sought medical attention and no hospitalisation was required.
The fourth case involved 20 male and 12 females aged between nine and 24. They developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea about nine to 19 hours after having a take-away dinner on August 6. Nine attended the Accident and Emergency Department of public hospitals while two consulted private doctors. None of them required hospitalisation.
Further investigation of these cases 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; and
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to toilet.
Ends/Friday, August 8, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:31
NNNN
