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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 12) investigating a suspected food poisoning case affecting 15 persons and reminds the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The case involved six men and nine women aged 25 to 50 who developed diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever about 14 to 51 hours after having dinner at a private club in Central on January 7. Ten of them sought medical attention but hospitalisation was not required.
All of the affected persons are now in stable condition. The CHP has also alerted the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to the incident and the investigations are ongoing.
To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
* Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
* Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hot pot or barbecue meal;
* Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
* Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
* Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
* Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
* Drink boiled water;
* 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, January 12, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:40
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