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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 10) investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving 10 persons and hence reminded members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The case involved four men and six women, aged between 23 and 48. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever about 12 to 70 hours after eating at a restaurant in Happy Valley in the evening of January 4.
Three of them subsequently sought medical consultation. One of them required hospitalisation and has been discharged. All affected persons are in a stable condition. The investigation by the CHP is proceeding.
To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. 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, at 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; and
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.
Ends/Thursday, January 10, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:20
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