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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating today (September 28) two reports of suspected food poisoning involving 10 people who felt sick after having dinner buffet in a hotel in Admiralty.
In the first case, the affected persons are six women aged from 26 to 54 who developed diarrhea and vomiting about 16 to 41 hours after taking dinner in a restaurant of the hotel on September 24. All of them attended the Outpatient Department of a private hospital.
The second case involved three men and a woman aged from 26 and 43. They developed similar symptoms about 28 to45 hours after taking dinner in the same hotel on September 25 and sought medical attention from private doctors.
All the affected persons are in stable condition and none required hospitalization.
CHP reminded members of the public, especially food handlers, to observe good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
Members of the public are advised to take the following measures:
* Patronise licensed food premises with good reputation;
* Do not consume food that has been discoloured or tastes abnormal;
* The elderly, children and people with low immunity should avoid consuming raw and cold foods and high-risk items such as oysters, sashimi, sushi and salads;
* Wash hands thoroughly before getting food and eating them; and
* Use separate utensils such as tongs and plates provided by the food premises to handle raw and cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination.
Members of the trade are reminded to:
* Obtain raw materials from reputable and approved sources;
* Clean and cook food thoroughly before consumption, particularly crustacean and bivalve seafood such as shrimp, crab, oysters and clams;
* Do not prepare too much food or start preparation too early;
*Keep raw and cooked foods separately to reduce the risk of cross-contamination;
* Cold dishes should be kept at 4¢XC or below and hot-served foods, at 60¢XC or above over warming devices;
* Food should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours; and
* Observe good personal and environmental hygiene.
Ends/Thursday, September 28, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:56
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