The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 28) investigating three 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 two females, aged 29 to 30, who developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, fever and generalised weakness about 18 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Mong Kok on October 21.

     The second cluster involved a male and a female, aged 35 and 29, who developed similar symptoms about 26 hours after having dinner at the same restaurant on the same day.

     The third cluster involved two males and two females, aged 26 to 36, who developed similar symptoms about 19 hours after having dinner at the same restaurant on the same day.

     Five of the affected persons sought medical advice and one of them required hospitalisation. All of them are in stable condition.

     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, October 28, 2022
Issued at HKT 17:52

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