Press Release

Suspected food poisoning case under CHP investigation

5 February 2015

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 5) investigating a suspected food poisoning case affecting 11 persons and hence reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

The case involved one male and 10 females aged from 23 to 54 who developed diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain about 34 to 60 hours after having dinner at a food premises in Tsim Sha Tsui on January 30.

Three sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation.

All affected persons are now in a stable condition. 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:

• Eat thoroughly cooked food;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• 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.