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Press Release

Two suspected food poisoning clusters under CHP investigation

21 January 2013

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 21) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters involving six persons and hence reminded members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

The first cluster involved three women, all aged 29, who developed diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever and headache about 32 to 34 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui on January 15. The trio sought medical consultation from private doctors and did not require hospitalisation.

Another cluster of three females, aged between 20 and 29, developed similar symptoms about 25 to 33 hours after dining in the same restaurant in the same evening. All of them sought private medical attention but no one required hospitalisation.

All affected persons are currently in stable condition. The CHP's investigations are 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.

21 January 2013