20 Jul 2011
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 20) investigating two suspected food poisoning outbreaks involving eight persons and reminded people to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first cluster involved four females, all aged 13. They developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, about three to five hours after having lunch in a restaurant in Shatin on July 18. Three of the affected sought medical consultation. One of them required hospitalisation and has already been discharged.
The second cluster involved three females and one male aged from 29 to 54. They developed the same symptoms about three to seven hours after having lunch in the same restaurant on the same day. One of them sought medical treatment and did not require hospitalisation.
All affected are in stable condition. The investigation continues.
People are reminded to maintain 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; and
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.