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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 16) reminded people to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases after receiving a report of a suspected food poisoning case involving a tour group.
The affected 16 people were four men and 12 women aged between 11 and 67. They joined a tour group to the Thailand between August 11 and 15. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever on August 13 after having a meal at a restaurant in Pattaya.
Twelve of them sought medical treatment at the Accident and Emergency Departments of Princess Margaret Hospital and Caritas Medical Centre on August 15 after returning to Hong Kong. No hospitalisation was required.
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/Saturday, August 16, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:27
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