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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating the suspected food poisoning outbreak involving a secondary school in Aberdeen which was reported yesterday. As of today, a total of 70 students were affected.
The affected students comprised 36 boys and 34 girls aged from 11 to 18. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms, including diarrhoea, abdominal pain and nausea about 10 minutes to 31 hours after having lunch at school on Tuesday (December 2).
Two of them attended the out-patient clinic of private hospitals and did not require hospitalisation. Most of the affected have recovered and the rest 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/Thursday, December 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 22:37
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