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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 3) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting a total of nine persons, and hence reminded members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene against food-borne diseases.
The first cluster involves a man and three women aged 6 to 63 who developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting about 28 to 47 hours after dining at a food premises in Tai Po on February 14. One sought medical consultation and did not require hospitalisation.
Another cluster comprising two males and three females aged 40 to 45 developed similar symptoms about seven to 31 hours after having dinner at the same premises in the same evening. Three sought medical attention and one of them was hospitalised for management.
All affected persons are now in stable condition. The CHP's investigations are proceeding.
To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
* Eat thoroughly cooked food;
* Avoid eating raw seafood;
* Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
* Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
* Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
* 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, March 3, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:15
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