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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 5) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting a total of seven persons, and hence reminded members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first cluster involves one man and four women aged 30 to 42 who developed abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea about eight to 13 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Yuen Long on August 2. Four of them sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation.
The other cluster comprises a man and a woman aged 50 and 46 respectively who developed similar symptoms about nine to 12 hours after dining at the same premises on August 2. Both of them sought medical attention and did not require hospitalisation.
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/Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:25
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