28 September 2012
The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is today (September 28) investigating a suspected food poisoning outbreak involving 16 persons and reminded people to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The case involved a tour group which travelled from Hong Kong to Qingdao from September 23 to 27. Sixteen members of the group, comprising five males and 11 females, aged between 37 and 82, developed gastroenteritis symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fever, vomiting and nausea about five to 37 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Qingdao on September 26.
Fifteen of them sought medical consultation and one of them required hospitalisation. All the affected people are in a stable condition. The investigation is continuing.
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.