Press Release

Suspected food poisoning case under CHP investigation

17 October 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 17) investigating a suspected food poisoning outbreak affecting a primary school in Tai Po and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

So far, the CHP has identified 20 affected students, comprising 11 boys and nine girls aged from 6 to 12. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain after having lunch in school on October 15.

Among them, one student sought medical attention from a private doctor but did not require hospitalisation. All affected students are in a stable condition. The investigation is continuing.

To prevent food-borne diseases, schools and institutions are advised to:

• Choose and monitor food suppliers carefully; and
• Hot foods should be kept at above 60 degrees Celsius while cold foods should be kept at 4 degrees Celsius 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.