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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 8) investigating four suspected food poisoning outbreaks involving nine persons and reminded members of the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first cluster involved one male and one female, aged 27 and 25 respectively. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness and dizziness about 15 to 17 hours after dining at a restaurant in Admiralty in the evening of November 6. The duo subsequently sought medical consultation.
The second cluster involved two men and one woman, aged between 29 and 57. They developed similar symptoms about 11 to 18 hours after having dinner in the same restaurant in the same evening. They did not seek medical consultation.
The third cluster involved a 43-year-old man. He developed similar symptoms about 14 hours after dining in the same restaurant in the same evening and later sought medical consultation.
The last cluster involved three men, aged between 22 and 70, who developed similar symptoms about 13 to 18 hours after having dinner in the same restaurant in the same evening, and two of them later sought medical consultation.
All affected persons are currently in stable condition and none of them required hospitalisation. Investigations by the CHP are proceeding.
Members of the public 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/Thursday, November 8, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:52
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