Update on suspected food poisoning cases involving sandwiches
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The CHP has identified 26 more clusters of suspected food poisoning relating to sandwiches. The newly reported clusters involved 24 males and 37 females aged 2 to 61. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever about three to 86 hours after consuming sandwiches. Fifty-two of them sought medical consultation and 17 required hospitalisation.
As of 4pm today, the CHP has identified a total of 63 clusters of suspected food poisonings, affecting 154 persons. Among them, stool specimens of three affected persons tested positive for Group D Salmonella.
All affected persons are now in stable condition. Investigations are proceeding.
"Prolonged storage of food at room temperature may allow pathogens to grow and produce toxins. Members of the public should avoid consuming cooked or ready-to-eat food that has been kept at room temperature for several hours," 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/Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Issued at HKT 17:47
Issued at HKT 17:47
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