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The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is today (July 6) investigating three suspected food poisoning cases involving eight persons and reminded people to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first cluster involved two males and one female, aged between 33 and 42. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including abdominal pain and diarrhoea about three to 14 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Eastern District on June 28. They did not seek medical consultation.
The second cluster involved one male and two females, aged between 5 and 40. They developed symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhoea about 11 to 15 hours after having dinner in the same restaurant on June 28. They did not seek medical consultation.
The third cluster involved two males, aged 38 and 55. They developed symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness and dizziness about 12 to 13 hours after having dinner in the same restaurant on July 5. They sought medical consultation but did not require hospitalisation.
All the eight affected people are in a 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/Friday, July 6, 2012
Issued at HKT 21:07
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