Press Release

CHP investigates two suspected food poisoning clusters

29 September 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 29) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting seven people and hence reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

The first cluster involves two women aged 20 who developed diarrhoea and abdominal pain about 7 to 8 hours after eating at a food premises in Aberdeen on the evening of September 26. Neither sought medical attention.

The other cluster comprises five women aged 18 to 22 who developed diarrhoea, abdominal pain and vomiting about 11 to 18 hours after eating at the same premises on September 27 afternoon. Four attended the Accident and Emergency Department of public hospitals but did not require hospitalisation, while the other not consult medical advice.

All the affected persons are now in a stable condition. Investigations of the CHP 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.