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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 18) 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 12 people.
Six men and six women, aged between 10 and 44, developed gastroenteritis symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and fever, about four to six hours after having lunch during a boat trip on August 16.
All of them attended Accident and Emergency Department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital and required no hospitalisation. They are all in stable condition.
Further investigation is in progress.
People are reminded to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent food-borne diseases. When dining out:
* 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, sushi 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 the toilet.
Ends/Monday, August 18, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:01
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