Report of food poisoning under investigation
******************************************** The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a report of suspected food poisoning involving 11 people and urged members of the public to be on guard against food-borne diseases.
The affected, comprising nine men and two women aged between 18 and 45, developed diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, fever and vomiting 4 to 20 hours after taking buffet in the cafˆm of a Happy Valley hotel in the evening of October 27.
Their symptoms were generally mild. Six of them sought medical treatment from private doctors and the five others approached the Accident and Emergency Departments of two public hospitals and a private 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 a report of suspected food poisoning involving 11 people and urged members of the public to be on guard against food-borne diseases.
The affected, comprising nine men and two women aged between 18 and 45, developed diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, fever and vomiting 4 to 20 hours after taking buffet in the cafˆm of a Happy Valley hotel in the evening of October 27.
Their symptoms were generally mild. Six of them sought medical treatment from private doctors and the five others approached the Accident and Emergency Departments of two public hospitals and a private 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/Saturday, October 29, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:08
NNNN