8 Oct 2008
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 8) reminded people to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases after receiving reports of two suspected food poisoning cases involving a total of 11 persons.
The first case involved four women aged from 28 to 33 who developed gastroenteritis symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever about 12 to 29 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Jordon on October 6.
In the second case, the affected comprised two men and five women aged between 28 and 29. They developed similar gastroenteritis symptoms about 13 to 25 hours after having dinner at the same restaurant on the same day.
Among the eleven affected, five sought medical treatment from private doctors while another one attended Accident & Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital. All are in stable condition and did not require hospitalization.
Members of the public are reminded to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent food-borne diseases. When dining out:
* Patronise only reputable and licensed restaurants;
* Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
* Cook food thoroughly;
* Avoid eating raw seafood;
* Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters in a buffet;
* 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;
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.