27 Oct 2009
The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is investigating five cases of suspected food poisoning involving 35 people.
The first four were linked clusters, comprising twelve men and ten woman aged between 20 and 58. They developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever 12 to 48 hours after patronising a restaurant in Tsuen Wan on October 23 and 24. One of them required hospitalisation and is now in stable condition.
The fifth case involved four men and nine women, aged between 16 and 86. They developed vomiting, diarrhoea and fever five to 25 hours after consuming food bought from a cooked-food market in Yuen Long on October 25. Seven of them sought medical attention and did not require hospitalisation. They are now in stable condition.
The 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.