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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 3) investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving ten people and reminded members of the public to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The affected, two boys and eight girls aged from 12 to 17, are students of a secondary school in Aberdeen. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms, including diarrhoea, abdominal pain and nausea about six to 18 hours after having lunch at school on December 2.
One of them attended the out-patient clinic of a private hospital and did not require hospitalization. All the affected are in stable condition.
Further investigation is on-going.
Members of the public are reminded to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent food-borne diseases. When dining out:
* 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/Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:43
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