Press Release

Suspected food poisoning case under CHP investigation

26 November 2013

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 26) investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving 16 persons and hence reminded members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

The case involved 12 males and four females, aged between 3 and 40. They developed diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever and nausea about 8 to 49 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Yau Tsim Mong District on November 23. Fourteen of them sought medical consultation and no hospitalisation is required.

All the affected persons are currently in 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 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.