19 Mar 2010
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 19) investigating two clusters of suspected food poisoning cases involving 12 people and reminded members of the public to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene practice to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first cluster involved two men and four women aged from 35 to 89 who developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness about three to 21 hours after having dinner buffet at a hotel in Admiralty on March 15. Two of them sought medical treatment but did not require hospitalisation.
The second group involved two men and four women aged from 26 to 34 who developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and dizziness about three to 40 hours after having dinner buffet at the same hotel on March 15. Three of them sought medical treatment. No hospitalisation was required.
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:
* 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.