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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating today (June 21) a suspected food poisoning case involving 11 people who felt sick after eating dinner in a restaurant in Central.
Those affected, six males and five females aged four to 70, developed diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever about three to 42 hours after having dinner in the restaurant on June 10.
Their symptoms were generally mild. Six of them sought medical treatment from private doctors and none required hospitalisation.
The CHP's initial investigations showed that bacteria was the likely cause of the outbreak. Further investigations are in progress.
The CHP reminded members of the public, especially food handlers, to observe good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases. They are advised to take the following measures:
* Clean and cook food thoroughly before consumption, particularly crustaceans and bivalve seafood such as shrimp, crab, oysters and clams;
* Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet;
* Handle raw and cooked food with separate utensils to prevent cross contamination;
* Keep raw and cooked food separately;
* Store food in refrigerator (at 4 degrees Celsius or below) and adequately reheat leftover food before consumption; and
* Keep the environment clean.
Ends/Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:59
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