***********************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 4) is investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving 22 people who felt sick after consuming take-away food from a food premises in Ma On Shan.
Those affected - nine males and 13 females aged four to 75 - developed vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain one and a half to more than six hours after patronising the food premises from August 31 to September 3.
Seven of them consulted private doctors and 15 others sought medical treatment from the accident and emergency department of Prince of Wales Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and United Christian Hospital. None required hospitalisation.
The CHP's initial investigations showed that bacteria was be the likely cause of the outbreak. Further investigations are in progress.
The 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 degrees Celsius or below) and adequately reheat leftover food before consumption; and
* Keep the environment clean.
Ends/Monday, September 4, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:30
NNNN
