27 November 2012
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 27) investigating two suspected food poisoning cases involving eight persons and reminded members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first cluster involved two men and two women aged between 23 and 26. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and weakness about 13 to 15 hours after dining at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui in the evening of November 18.
Another cluster involved three men and a woman aged between 40 and 50. They developed similar symptoms about nine to 14 hours after having dinner at the same restaurant on November 23.
All affected persons are currently in stable condition. None of them required hospitalisation. Investigations by the CHP are proceeding.
Members of the public 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.