17 August 2012
The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is today (August 17) investigating a suspected food poisoning outbreak involving 13 persons and reminded people to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The affected were four males and nine females aged 7 to 83. They developed symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and fever about 21 to 103 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Yau Tsim Mong District on August 11.
Nine of them sought medical consultation and one required hospitalisation. All of them are in stable condition.
The CHP's investigation is continuing.
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, at 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.