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CHP investigates two suspected food poisoning clusters
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 31) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting 18 persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

     The first cluster involved four males and five females aged from 14 to 60 who developed abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever about three to 21 hours after having dinner at a food premises in Tai Kok Tsui on August 28.

     The other cluster comprises four males and five females aged from 17 months to 68 years who developed similar symptoms about four to 40 hours after having dinner at the same food premises on August 28.

     All of the affected persons are now in a stable condition. Sixteen of them sought medical attention and four required hospitalisation. The CHP has also alerted the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to the incident and the investigations are ongoing.

     To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
 
  • Avoid eating raw seafood;
  • Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
  • Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hot pot or barbecue meal;
  • Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
  • Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
  • Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
  • Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
  • Drink boiled water;
  • 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, August 31, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:29
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