7 Oct 2009
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating an imported food poisoning case involving 13 victims.
The affected people, seven men and six women aged between 21 and 54, developed diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever about four to 17 hours after consuming lunch in a restaurant in Bangkok on October 6.
All of them sought medical treatment. Among them, one was hospitalised in stable condition.
CHP reminded the public to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent food-borne diseases. When dining out, people should:
* 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 and raw oysters in a buffet;
* Drink boiled water;
* Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
* Should 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.