*************************************************
The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is today (January 5) investigating a suspected food poisoning outbreak involving 10 residents of a halfway house and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The case involved 10 females, aged between 20 and 51. They developed diarrhoea about three hours after having dinner at a dining hall in a halfway house in Wong Tai Sin yesterday.
Four of them sought medical consultation but none required hospitalisation. All those affected are in a stable condition.
The investigation continues.
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/Thursday, January 5, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:35
NNNN
