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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 31) investigating four suspected food poisoning cases affecting 13 persons, and hence reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first cluster involved four women aged 35 to 61. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever about 11 to 25 hours after consuming sandwiches on July 26 and 27. These sandwiches were ordered online and picked up from a store on July 25. All of them sought medical consultation while one required hospitalisation and has been discharged.
The second cluster comprised one male and three females aged 23 to 36, who developed similar symptoms about 13 to 22 hours after consuming sandwiches of the same brand which were purchased from a supermarket in Taikoo Shing on July 28. Two of them sought medical attention and one required hospitalisation.
The third cluster involved two women aged 25 to 34, who developed similar symptoms about 17 to 24 hours after consuming sandwiches of the same brand which were purchased from a supermarket in Tsim Sha Tsui on July 24. One of them sought medical attention and has been discharged after hospitalisation.
The fourth cluster comprised three women aged 32 to 34, who developed similar symptoms about 11 to 31 hours after consuming sandwiches of the same brand on July 28 and 29. These sandwiches were purchased from a supermarket in Tsim Sha Tsui on July 27. All of them sought medical attention and did not require hospitalisation.
All affected persons are now in stable condition. Investigations are proceeding.
"Prolonged storage of food at room temperature may allow pathogens to grow and produce toxins. Members of the public should avoid consuming cooked or ready-to-eat food that has been kept at room temperature for several hours," a spokesman of the CHP said.
To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
* Eat thoroughly cooked food;
* Avoid eating raw seafood;
* Buy food from reliable and licensed restaurants and food suppliers only;
* Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
* 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 31, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:22
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