Press Release

Suspected food poisoning case under CHP investigation

26 August 2013

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 26) investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving 47 persons and hence reminded members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

The case involved 22 men and 25 women, aged between 17 and 21. They attended an orientation program organised by a university located in Sai Kung District. There were 350 persons attending the program. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever about 3 to 39 hours after having dinner at a canteen inside the school campus on August 21.

Thirty-three of them subsequently sought medical consultation and none of them required hospitalisation. All affected persons are in a stable condition. The investigation by the CHP is 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:

• Patronise only reliable 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.