Press Release

Food poisoning case under CHP investigation

25 March 2015

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 25) investigating a food poisoning case affecting 18 persons and hence reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

According to the organiser concerned, about 300 persons participated in an annual dinner in a restaurant in Yuen Long District on March 15. So far, the CHP has reached 18 participants and all were affected. The cases (5 males and 13 females) aged from 27 to 62 have been identified. They developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and vomiting about six to 45 hours after having dinner at the food premises.

Fifteen of the patients had sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All the affected persons are now in stable condition.

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.