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The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health today (November 26) is investigating two suspected food poisoning outbreaks involving five persons and reminds people to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first cluster involved two men and one woman, aged from 35 to 50. They developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting about nine to 16 hours after having lunch at a restaurant in Sha Tin district on November 24. They sought medical consultation, but none of them required hospitalisation.
The second cluster involved two males, aged 27 and 53. They developed the same symptoms about 11 to 14 hours after having dinner in the same restaurant on November 25. They sought medical consultation, but none required hospitalisation.
All the affected people are in stable condition. The investigation continues.
People are reminded to maintain 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, at 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 the toilet.
Ends/Saturday, November 26, 2011
Issued at HKT 22:17
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