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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 30) investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving 13 people.
Four men and nine women, aged between 21 and 25, developed gastroenteritis symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever, about three to 12 hours after having lunch during a boat trip on June 29.
Nine of them consulted private doctors or attended Accident and Emergency Department of public and private hospitals. Two of them were admitted to a private hospital in Sha Tin and one was admitted to a private hospital in Kowloon. All are in stable condition.
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, sushi 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 30, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:36
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