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CHP investigates two suspected food poisoning clusters (2)
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 9) investigating two other suspected food poisoning clusters affecting four persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
 
     The first cluster involves two women aged 28 and 31 who developed diarrhoea and abdominal pain about 14 to 25 hours after their lunch at a restaurant in Central on December 5. Both sought medical attention but hospitalisation was not required.
 
     The other cluster affects two females aged 30 and 34 who developed similar symptoms about eight to 12 hours after a lunch in the same restaurant on the same day. Both sought medical advice and one of them has been discharged after hospitalisation. Her stool specimen tested positive for Group D Salmonella upon laboratory testing by the hospital.
 
     All affected persons have been in stable condition.

     The CHP has alerted the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to the incident and investigations are ongoing.
 
     "Salmonella may be found in inadequately cooked meat, meat products and poultry, and raw egg and egg products such as pudding and lead to food poisoning. Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, with or without fever," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     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/Friday, December 9, 2016
Issued at HKT 21:29
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