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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 28) has found in follow-up investigations that 11 more people were affected in the suspected food poisoning case involving a cooked food market in Yuen Long.
Those people developed vomiting, diarrhoea and fever after consuming "Poon Choi" bought from the place on October 25. Five of them sought medical attention and did not require hospitalisation. They are now in stable condition.
This brings the cumulative total number of affected people to 24, including nine males and 15 females aged between 10 and 86 years old.
Today, the CHP received another report of a related case of food poisoning in which a group of five people developed gastroenteritis symptoms four to 31 hours after consuming "Poon Choi" bought from the same place on October 26. They comprised four males and one female aged between 12 and 56. One of the affected was hospitalised. All are in stable condition.
The CHP reminded members of the public, especially food handlers, to observe good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases. They are reminded to take the following preventive measures:
* Clean and cook food thoroughly before consumption, particularly crustacean and bivalve seafood such as shrimps, crabs, oysters and clams;
* Wash hands before eating and after going to toilet;
* Handle raw and cooked food with separate utensils to prevent cross contamination;
* Keep raw and cooked food separately;
* Store food in refrigerator (at 4 degree Celsius or below) and adequately reheat leftover food before consumption; and
* Keep the environment clean.
When preparing and consuming "Poon Choi", members of the public and food manufacturers should:
* Thoroughly cook all the ingredients and the centre temperature of the food should reach 75 degree Celsius;
* Cook the foods on the day they will be served;
* If "Poon Choi" requires transportation before consumption, it should be kept warm at more than 60 degrees Celsius; and
* "Poon Choi" should be kept at 60 degree Celsius or above after cooking;
* People should order "Poon Choi" from licensed premises and should not pick it up too early in advance;
* Reheat the "Poon Choi" once it arrives home and consume it in one go as soon as possible.
More safety tips for enjoying "Poon Choi" are available on the website of the Centre for Food Safety (http://www.cfs.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:10
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