*****************************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 17) investigating a suspected food poisoning outbreak affecting a primary school in Tai Po and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
So far, the CHP has identified 20 affected students, comprising 11 boys and nine girls aged from 6 to 12. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain after having lunch in school on October 15.
Among them, one student sought medical attention from a private doctor but did not require hospitalisation. All affected students are in a 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.
The CHP would also like to remind members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
* Eat thoroughly cooked food;
* Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
* Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
* Drink boiled water;
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet;
* Avoid eating raw seafood;
* Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
* Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food; and
* Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective.
Ends/Friday, October 17, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:59
NNNN
