31 Mar 2009
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 31) is investigating a case of suspected food poisoning involving 10 people and reminds members of the public to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The affected people, comprising six men and four women aged 23 to 52, developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever after having a dinner in a restaurant in Quarry Bay on March 20. One of them sought medical treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and did not require hospitalisation. All affected people are in stable condition.
Further investigation is on-going.
CHP reminded people, especially food handlers, to observe good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
People are advised to take the following measures:
* Do not consume food that has been discoloured or tastes abnormal; and
* Wash hands thoroughly before eating and after going to the toilet.
Members of the trade are reminded to:
* Obtain raw materials from reliable sources;
* Clean and cook food thoroughly before serving to customers, particularly crustacean and bivalve seafood such as shrimp, crab, oysters and clams;
* Keep raw and cooked foods separately to reduce the risk of cross-contamination;
* Cold dishes should be kept at 4 degrees Celsius or below and hot-served foods, at 60 degrees Celsius or above over warming devices;
* Food should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours; and
* Observe good personal and environmental hygiene.