Press Release

CHP investigating three suspected food poisoning clusters

16 August 2013

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 16) investigating three suspected food poisoning clusters involving 24 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 seven women, aged between 19 and 24, who developed diarrhoea and abdominal pain about 3 to 28 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Mong Kok on August 14. Two of them sought medical consultation and did not require hospitalisation.

Another cluster involved four men and four women, aged between 22 and 30, who developed similar symptoms about 15 to 44 hours after having dinner at the same restaurant on August 14. Two of them sought medical advice and did not require hospitalisation.

The third cluster involved four men and three women, aged between 16 and 17, who developed similar symptoms about 3 to 41 hours after having dinner at the same restaurant on August 14. One of them sought medical advice and 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.