Press Release

CHP investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters

31 July 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 31) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting a total of six people, and reminded members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

The first cluster involves two men and two women aged 22 to 29 who developed abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhoea about three to 23 hours after having dinner at a food premises in Kowloon City on July 21. Two of them sought medical treatment and did not require hospitalisation.

Another cluster comprises two men aged 34 and 35 who developed similar symptoms about four to 18 hours after having dinner at the same premises on July 27. One of them sought medical attention and did not require hospitalisation.

All the 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.