Press Release

CHP investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters

2 October 2013

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 2) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters involving four 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, aged 33 and 38 respectively, who developed diarrhoea and fever about 12 to 14 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Yau Tsim Mong District on September 26. The duo sought medical consultation and did not require hospitalisation.

Another cluster involved one man and one woman, aged 30 and 29 respectively. They developed similar symptoms about 15 to 23 hours after having dinner at the same restaurant on September 28. Both of them sought medical attention and did not require hospitalisation.

All the affected persons are currently in a stable condition. The CHP's investigations are 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 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.