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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 26) reminded people to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases after receiving reports of two suspected food poisoning cases involving a total of 11 people.
The affected two groups comprised 10 women and one man aged between 22 and 59. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and fever about 13 to 38 hours after having buffet dinner at a hotel on August 23.
Six of them consulted private doctors 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/Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:46
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