The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 27) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting nine persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

      The first cluster involved one male and six females aged two to 62, who developed abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever about 15 to 51 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Causeway Bay on April 21.

      Another cluster involved two females aged 18, who developed similar symptoms about nine to 14 hours after having lunch at the same restaurant on April 22.

      Seven of the affected persons sought medical advice. Among them, two required hospitalisation and one was discharged after treatment. All affected persons are in a stable condition.
 
      "We have alerted the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to the incident 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/Monday, April 27, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:52

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