7 Jul 2009
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 7) is investigating two clusters of suspected food poisoning involving 13 people and reminded members of the public to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first cluster involved two men and one woman aged between 32 and 60 who had dinner at a restaurant at Woo Sung Street, Jordan on July 5. They developed vomiting and diarrhea 22 to 26.5 hours after dinner. Two of them sought medical treatment.
Another group involved four men and six women aged between 13 and 76 who had dinner at a restaurant at the junction between Austin Road and Nathan Road on July 5. They developed vomiting and diarrhea 12 to 28 hours after the meal. Two of them sought medical treatment from private doctors.
Both restaurants belong to the same restaurant group.
No one required hospitalization. They are all in stable condition.
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℃ or below and hot-served foods, at 60℃ 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.