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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 20) investigating a report of suspected food poisoning involving five people who felt sick after having dinner in a restaurant in Kowloon City.
The first group consisted of a male and two females aged from 10 to 44 who had dinner in the restaurant on June 10. They developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting about 10.5 to 12 hours after the meal and consulted private doctors for treatment. No hospitalisation was required.
The second group involved a 25-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman who dined in the same place on June 17. They developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea after 22.5 to 25.5 hours and sought medical treatment from the Accident and Emergency Department of Ruttonjee Hospital. None required hospitalisation.
CHP reminded people, especially food handlers, to observe good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
People are advised to take the following measures:
* Do not consume food that has been discoloured or tastes abnormal; and
* Wash hands thoroughly before eating and after going to the toilet.
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;
* Keep raw and cooked foods separately to reduce the risk of cross-contamination;
* Cold dishes should be kept at 4℃ or below and hot-served foods, at 60℃ 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/Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Issued at HKT 23:05
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