Press Release

Two suspected food poisoning clusters under CHP investigation

13 May 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 13) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting a total of five persons, and hence reminded members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene against food-borne diseases.

The first cluster involves two men and one woman aged 22 to 52 who developed abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting about two hours after having dinner at a food premises in Sham Shui Po on May 11. The trio sought medical treatment and one of them required hospitalisation.

Another cluster comprises two women aged 37 and 68 who developed similar symptoms about four hours after having lunch at the same premises yesterday (May 12). They sought medical attention and did not require hospitalisation.

All affected persons are now 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:

• Eat thoroughly cooked food;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• 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.