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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving 11 people today (June 16).
The affected are males aged from 20 to 34. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea and fever about five to 22 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Southern District on June 14.
All of them sought medical treatment from the Accident and Emergency Department of public hospitals and no hospitalisation was required.
Further investigation is in progress.
People are reminded to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent food-borne diseases. When dining out:
* Patronise only reputable and licensed restaurants;
* Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
* Cook food thoroughly;
* Avoid eating raw seafood;
* Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi and raw oysters in a buffet;
* Drink boiled water;
* Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
* Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective;
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.
Ends/Monday, June 16, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:09
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