Press Release

CHP investigates suspected food poisoning cluster

6 October 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 6) investigating a suspected food poisoning cluster affecting 11 persons and hence reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

The 11 men, aged 24 to 50, developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea about one to 10 hours after having takeaway breakfast yesterday morning (October 5). All of them attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Ruttonjee Hospital and one was hospitalised for further management.

All affected persons are now in stable condition. Investigations by the CHP are proceeding.

To prevent food-borne diseases, the CHP advised organisations to:

• Choose and monitor food suppliers carefully; and
• Keep hot foods at more than 60 degrees Celsius, while cold foods should be kept at 4 degrees C or below.

The CHP would also like to remind members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:

• Eat thoroughly cooked food;
• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food; and
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective.