Press Release

CHP investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters

17 September 2013

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 17) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters involving six persons, and reminded members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

The first cluster involved three men, aged between 18 and 56, who developed vomiting, diarrhoea and weakness about 20 to 24 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Sai Ying Pun on September 15. Two of them sought medical consultation and did not require hospitalisation.

Another cluster involved one man, two women and one man from the first cluster, aged between 51 and 84. They developed similar symptoms about 15 to 24 hours after having food bought from the same restaurant on September 16. Two of them sought medical advice and did not require hospitalisation.

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 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.