CHP investigates suspected food poisoning cluster (with photo)
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The cluster involved nine males and 11 females, aged 11 to 17, who developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea, about nine to 13 hours after having dinner at a school in Tuen Mun on May 17.
Three of the affected persons sought medical advice and none required hospitalisation. All affected persons are in stable condition.
Initial investigations of the CHP revealed that the affected students consumed common food, with a higher chance of involving food poisoning. The personnel from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health and the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today visited the place for environmental investigation, and provided preventive advice against food poisoning to the school. Investigations are ongoing.
To prevent foodborne 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 hotpot 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 foods;
- Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
- Drink boiled water;
- Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
- Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.
Ends/Friday, May 19, 2023
Issued at HKT 21:06
Issued at HKT 21:06
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