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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 1) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting a total of seven people, and reminded members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first cluster involves two men and three women aged 15 to 20 who developed abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea about 12 to 18 hours after having lunch at a food premises in Yuen Long on July 29. Four of them sought medical attention while one required hospitalisation and was discharged.
The other cluster comprises two men aged 29 who developed similar symptoms about 11 to 16 hours after having takeaway lunch from the same premises on July 29. One of them sought medical attention and did not require hospitalisation.
All the 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/Friday, August 1, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:06
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