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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 14) is investigating two cases of suspected food poisoning affecting 11 people.
The first case involved four women and four men aged from 19 to 57. They developed abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and fever about 3 to 20 hours after having dinner at home on August 12. The food was bought from a food premises in Jordon in the afternoon.
One of them consulted private doctor and no hospitalisation was required.
The second case involved three women aged from 43 to 48. who had dinner buffet in the same premises on the same day. They developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and fever about seven to 10 hours after the meal.
One of them consulted a general practitioner and the other two sought medical treatment from the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital and a private hospital in Kowloon respectively. None required hospitalisation.
CHP reminded members of the public, 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;
* Consume the take-away food as soon as possible;
* Do not keep it under room temperature for more than two hours;
* Reheat the food thoroughly before consumption; and
* Wash hands thoroughly before eating and after going to the toilet.
Members of the trade are reminded to:
* Obtain raw materials from reliable sources;
* 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/Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:32
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