28 January 2013
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 28) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters involving four persons, and reminded members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first cluster involved a 45-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman who developed diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and headache about two hours after eating at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui on January 24 afternoon. They attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital but did not require hospitalisation.
Another cluster also involved a man and woman, aged 30 and 31 respectively, who developed similar symptoms about three hours after having dinner at the same restaurant on the same day. One of them was admitted to a private hospital and has been discharged.
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.