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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a report of suspected food poisoning involving nine people today (September 30).
Those affected, five males and four females aged from 11 to 14, are students of a secondary school in Aberdeen. They developed vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, and abdominal pain within 30 minutes to one hour after consuming meals provided by a supplier during lunch time at school.
All of them sought medical treatment from the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Mary Hospital. None of them required hospitalisation.
Investigations are still in progress. Initial investigations suggested that this might be an outbreak of bacteria food poisoning.
To prevent food borne diseases, people, in particular food handlers, should take the following measures:
* Clean and cook food thoroughly before consumption, particularly crustacean and bivalve seafood such as shrimp, crab, oysters and clams;
* Handle raw and cooked food with separate utensils to prevent cross contamination;
* Keep raw and cooked food separately;
* Do not store food under room temperature. Keep cooked food in refrigerator (at 4 degree Celsius or below) or kept warm at 60 degree Celsius or above if they are not consumed at once.
* Discard leftovers or otherwise store them properly in refrigerator (at 4 degree Celsius or below). Reheat leftover food thoroughly before consumption;
* Wash hands before eating and after going to toilet; and
* Keep the environment clean.
Ends/Friday, September 30, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:27
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