19 Feb 2009
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 19) investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving 12 people and reminded members of the public to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The affected were five men and seven women aged from 19 to 56. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever after having lunch buffet at a hotel in Kowloon on February 10.
Six of them have sought medical treatment and did not require hospitalisation. All are in stable condition. Further investigation is on-going.
Members of the public are reminded to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent food-borne diseases. When dining out:
* Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
* Cook food thoroughly;
* Avoid eating raw seafood;
* Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters in a buffet;
* Drink boiled water;
* Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
* Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective;
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.