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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a report of suspected food poisoning involving a total of six people in two groups who felt sick after having dinner buffet in a hotel restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui.
The first group consisted of a man and two women aged from 32 to 58 who had dinner in the restaurant on June 9. They developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting about 3.5 to 4 hours after the meal. One of them sought medical treatment from the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital and no hospitalisation was required while two others did not seek medical treatment. All of them had recovered.
The second group of three women, aged from 26 to 40, dined in the same place on June 18 and developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting after 3 to 12 hours. Two of them attended Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital and Tseung Kwan O Hospital. None required hospitalisation. All had recovered.
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:
* 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 4oC or below and hot-served foods, at 60oC 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/Friday, June 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 00:08
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