Press Release

Suspected food poisoning case under CHP investigation

24 July 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 24) investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving 11 persons and hence reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

The affected persons attended a training camp in Tai Po District. Based on information from the organiser, there were 99 participants and staff members, and about 25 of them have reported symptoms of gastroenteritis since July 23. So far, the CHP has reached 12 of them, and 11 cases, involving six males and five females aged between 13 and 40, were identified. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including diarrhoea and abdominal pain about eight to 14 hours after having dinner at a canteen inside the campsite on July 22.

Three of them sought medical consultation and none of them required hospitalisation. All the affected persons are in stable condition. The investigation by the CHP is 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.