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The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is today (December 5) investigating two suspected food poisoning outbreaks involving five persons and reminded people to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first cluster of cases involved one male and one female, both aged 37. They developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting about seven to eight hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui on December 2. They sought medical consultation but did not require hospitalisation.
The second cluster involved one male and two females, aged between 28 and 53. They developed the same symptoms about five to 10 hours after having dinner in the same restaurant on the same day. One of them 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/Monday, December 5, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:05
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