Press Release

Two suspected food poisoning clusters under CHP investigation

19 June 2013

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 19) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters involving four persons, and hence reminded members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

The first cluster involved two women, aged 20 and 58, who developed diarrhea and abdominal pain about 11 hours after having lunch at a restaurant in Tsuen Wan on June 14. They did not seek medical consultation.

Another cluster involved a man and a woman, aged 21 and 23, who developed similar symptoms about 13 hours after dining at the same restaurant on June 17. One of them sought medical advice but did not require hospitalisation.

All 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 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.