Press Release

CHP investigates suspected food poisoning outbreak

29 October 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health received notification today (October 29) of a suspected food poisoning outbreak affecting 28 persons and hence reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

Based on information from the affected persons, about 300 persons had dinner at a food premises in Sha Tin on October 26. So far, the CHP has reached 29 of them and 28 cases were identified, which involved 15 men and 13 women aged between 27 and 85.

They developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever between 10 and 40 hours after eating a banquet. Twenty-six sought medical attention and one was hospitalised for further management.

All 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.