5 Jan 2012
The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is today (January 5) investigating a suspected food poisoning outbreak involving 10 residents of a halfway house and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The case involved 10 females, aged between 20 and 51. They developed diarrhoea about three hours after having dinner in a dining hall of the halfway house in Wong Tai Sin yesterday.
Four of them sought medical consultation but none required hospitalisation. All the affected are in stable condition.
The investigation continues.
People are reminded to maintain 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, at 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; and
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.