17 Sep 2009
The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is investigating three linked clusters of suspected food poisoning involving 11 people and reminded members of the public to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first two groups, comprising one man and seven women aged between 22 and 63, developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever 10 to 24 hours after patronizing a restaurant in Sha Tin on September 10.
The third group, involving one male and two females aged between 10 and 40 years, developed similar symptoms 22 to 26 hours after consuming food bought from the same restaurant. One of them required hospitalisation and is now in stable condition.
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:
* Patronise only reputable and licensed restaurants;
* 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.