Update on food poisoning outbreak related to food premises in Kowloon Bay
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After further investigations, the CHP identified an additional 38 persons, comprising 12 men and 26 women aged from 19 to 62, who developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever about two to 31 hours after having a dinner banquet at the food premises on November 9. Twenty of them sought medical attention but none required hospitalisation.
This brings the total number of persons affected to 48 so far, comprising 19 men and 29 women. The stool specimen of one patient tested positive for Vibrio parahaemolyticus. All affected persons identified have been in stable condition.
"Epidemiological investigations show that the additional affected persons had a meal at the food premises concerned before investigation and control measures instituted by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). We have alerted the FEHD to the updated investigation findings and investigations are ongoing," 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:
- Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
- 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 utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
- 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, November 16, 2018
Issued at HKT 17:53
Issued at HKT 17:53
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