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Press Release

Suspected food poisoning case under CHP investigation

12 December 2012

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 12) investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving 11 persons and hence reminded members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

The case involved six men and five women, aged between 20 and 31. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever about 12 hours after eating at a restaurant in Wan Chai in the evening of December 7.

Four of them subsequently sought medical consultation from private doctors and no hospitalisation is required. All affected persons are in a stable condition. The investigation by the CHP is proceeding.

To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. 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.

12 December 2012