7 November 2012
The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is today (November 7) investigating two suspected food poisoning outbreaks involving 12 persons and reminded people to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first cluster involved one male and three females, aged between 16 and 43. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain and fever about 25 to 41 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui on November 3. All of them sought medical consultation but none required hospitalisation.
The second cluster involved two males and six females, aged between 27 and 39. They developed similar symptoms about 36 to 66 hours after having dinner in the same restaurant on the same day. Four of them sought medical consultation but none required hospitalisation.
All the affected people are in 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.