Reports of food poisoning under investigation
********************************************* The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating four reports of suspected food poisoning involving 15 people and urged members of the public to be on guard against food-borne diseases.
The affected, comprising nine males and six females aged between 14 to 40, developed diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting 3 to 15 hours after taking meals in a restaurant in Kwun Tong between September 15 and 19.
The first group, involving a man and a woman aged 26 and 27, had dinner in the restaurant on September 15 while the remaining groups had dinner there on September 19. The second group comprised two men and a woman aged from 36 to 40. The third group involved a 14-year-old boy and four women aged from 18 to 20. For the last group, there are 5 men aged from 22 to 23.
Their symptoms were generally mild. Two of them sought medical treatment from a private doctor. Five others approached the Accident and Emergency Departments of United Christian Hospital, Kwong Wah Hospital and Pamela Youle Nethersole Eastern Hospital for treatment. None required hospitalization. All of them are in stable condition.
CHP's initial investigations suggested that bacterial contamination was the likely cause for these outbreaks. Further investigation is in progress.
CHP reminded members of the public, especially food handlers, to observe good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases. They are advised to take the following measures:
* Clean and cook food thoroughly before consumption, particularly crustacean and bivalve seafood such as shrimp, crab, oysters and clams;
* Wash hands before eating and after going to toilet;
* Handle raw and cooked food with separate utensils to prevent cross contamination;
* Keep raw and cooked food separately;
* Store food in refrigerator (at 4 degree Celsius or below) and adequately reheat leftover food before consumption; and
* Keep the environment clean.
********************************************* The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating four reports of suspected food poisoning involving 15 people and urged members of the public to be on guard against food-borne diseases.
The affected, comprising nine males and six females aged between 14 to 40, developed diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting 3 to 15 hours after taking meals in a restaurant in Kwun Tong between September 15 and 19.
The first group, involving a man and a woman aged 26 and 27, had dinner in the restaurant on September 15 while the remaining groups had dinner there on September 19. The second group comprised two men and a woman aged from 36 to 40. The third group involved a 14-year-old boy and four women aged from 18 to 20. For the last group, there are 5 men aged from 22 to 23.
Their symptoms were generally mild. Two of them sought medical treatment from a private doctor. Five others approached the Accident and Emergency Departments of United Christian Hospital, Kwong Wah Hospital and Pamela Youle Nethersole Eastern Hospital for treatment. None required hospitalization. All of them are in stable condition.
CHP's initial investigations suggested that bacterial contamination was the likely cause for these outbreaks. Further investigation is in progress.
CHP reminded members of the public, especially food handlers, to observe good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases. They are advised to take the following measures:
* Clean and cook food thoroughly before consumption, particularly crustacean and bivalve seafood such as shrimp, crab, oysters and clams;
* Wash hands before eating and after going to toilet;
* Handle raw and cooked food with separate utensils to prevent cross contamination;
* Keep raw and cooked food separately;
* Store food in refrigerator (at 4 degree Celsius or below) and adequately reheat leftover food before consumption; and
* Keep the environment clean.
Ends/Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Issued at HKT 21:39
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