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CHP investigates four suspected food poisoning clusters
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 26) investigating four suspected food poisoning clusters affecting 32 persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

     The first cluster involved two males and five females, aged 2 to 59, who developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fever, nausea and vomiting about six to 27 hours after consuming food provided by a caterer in Kwai Chung on July 23.
 
     The second cluster involved seven males and four females aged 8 to 48, who developed similar symptoms about five to 18 hours after consuming food provided by the same caterer on July 24.
 
     The third cluster involved a male and a female aged 41 and 6, who developed similar symptoms about five and a half to 23 hours after consuming food provided by the same caterer on July 24.
 
     The fourth cluster involved eight males and four females aged 3 to 48, who developed similar symptoms about nine to 35 hours after consuming food provided by the same caterer on July 23.   

     Twenty-four of the affected persons sought medical advice and seven of them required hospitalisation. All of them are in stable condition. The stool specimens collected from four patients tested positive for Salmonella upon laboratory testing.

     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, July 26, 2022
Issued at HKT 18:30
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