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The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is today (June 26) investigating two suspected food poisoning outbreaks involving 10 persons and reminded people to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first cluster of cases involved four males and two females, aged between 20 and 52. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting about six to 30 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Yuen Long on June 22. Five of them sought medical consultation but did not require hospitalisation.
The second cluster involved one male and three females, aged between 29 and 66. They developed similar symptoms about eight to 12 hours after having dinner in the same restaurant on June 24. Three of them sought medical consultation but did not require hospitalisation.
All the affected people are in stable condition. The investigation is continuing.
People are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent food-borne diseases. 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.
Ends/Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:13
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