Press Release

CHP investigates two suspected food poisoning clusters

15 December 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 15) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting six people and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

The first cluster involves three men aged 22 to 28 who developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea about 32 to 37 hours after having dinner at a food premises in Wong Tai Sin on December 3. All of them sought medical consultation but did not require hospitalisation.

The other cluster comprises three women aged 29 to 32 who developed the same symptoms about 14 to 50 hours after having dinner at the same premises on December 8. Two of them sought medical consultation but did not require hospitalisation.

All the affected persons are now in a stable condition. The CHP's 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:

• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during hot pot or barbecue;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and 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;
• 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.