Press Release

CHP investigates suspected food poisoning outbreak

23 April 2015

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 23) investigating a suspected food poisoning outbreak affecting 33 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 150 persons had lunch at a food premises in Mong Kok on April 20. So far, the CHP has reached 50 of them and 33 cases were identified, which involved 25 men and eight women aged between 25 and 51.

They developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever between two and 56 hours after eating at the food premises. Nineteen sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation.

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.