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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 14) provided an update following its investigation into a suspected case of food poisoning announced yesterday.
So far, the CHP has reached 130 students and staff, and 33 cases were identified, which involved 15 males and 18 females aged between 7 and 37. They developed vomiting, abdominal pain, and nausea after having lunch in school on June 12.
Among the cases, 16 of them sought medical attention and a girl aged 9 was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre for management. All affected cases are in stable condition. The investigation is continuing.
To prevent food-borne diseases, schools and institutions are advised to:
* Choose and monitor food suppliers carefully; and
* Hot foods should be kept at above 60 degrees Celsius while cold foods should be kept at 4 degrees Celsius or below.
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/Saturday, June 14, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:26
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