Suspected food poisoning case under CHP investigation
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 4) investigating a suspected food poisoning outbreak involving 13 persons and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

     The case involved 13 pupils comprising eight males and five females aged between six and 13. They developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea about one to 24 hours after having lunch in a primary school in Kwai Tsing yesterday (June 3).

     All the affected are in stable condition. The investigation continues.

     To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:

* Eat thoroughly cooked food;
* Avoid eating raw seafood;
* Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
* Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
* Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
* 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/Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:39

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