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The Department of Health (DH) has reminded people to be vigilant at all times in personal, food, environmental hygiene for health protection during the Easter period.
The Assistant Director of Health (Health Promotion), Dr Regina Ching, today (April 12) said the small part that every person played could contribute towards the protection of health of the wider community.
"Friends and relatives while enjoying meals together or travelling abroad during the festive public holidays should remain on guard against infectious diseases, such as food-borne and vector-borne infections."
She said people should observe the following precautions when eating out, preparing their own dishes at home or during overseas travel, to prevent food poisoning:
* Only patronise reputable and licensed restaurants;
* Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
* Eat food thoroughly cooked, particularly seafood and shellfish, and eat food fresh from sealed packs or cans;
* Avoid eating raw seafood;
* Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sushi and raw oysters in a buffet;
* Drink boiled water, canned or bottled drinks, pasteurised milk or diary products;
* Only eat those fruits and vegetables that are thoroughly cleaned and fruit that you have peeled yourself;
* Use separate 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;
* Make sure that food is properly stored and has been adequately reheated before consumption; and
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.
In addition, Dr Ching reminded people to take precautions to prevent respiratory tract infections.
"Hong Kong is now experiencing unstable weather conditions with intermittent warm and cool periods. People, in particular the elderly, babies and people suffering from chronic health problems, should be extra cautious to guard against influenza-like-illness."
Dr Ching further called on people - especially those travelling abroad - to take measures to prevent avian influenza and respiratory tract infections.
"To prevent avian influenza, people, in particular travellers visiting places where avian influenza was detected, should avoid contact with live poultry, birds, animals and their droppings.
"If contact is unavoidable, they should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching live poultry, birds or animals," she said.
People should take the following measures to prevent contracting respiratory tract infections:
* Keep hands clean, wash hands frequently with liquid soap, especially before eating and touching the nose, mouth and eyes. Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put soiled tissues into a rubbish bin with a lid and then wash hands thoroughly.
* Avoid visiting crowded or poorly ventilated places.
* If symptoms of a respiratory tract infection developed, such as a fever or cough, wear a mask and seek medical advice promptly.
Moreover, Dr Ching urged travellers to Southeast Asia to take the following anti-mosquito measures as dengue fever was endemic in the area:
* Wear long-sleeved clothes and long trousers;
* Use insect repellent over the exposed parts of the body; and
* Use mosquito screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned.
"Anyone feeling unwell during or after travel is advised to seek medical attention promptly and provide the travel history to the doctor," Dr Ching added.
More information are available from the websites of Central Health Education Unit at http://www.cheu.gov.hk, the Hong Kong Travel Health Service website (http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk/eindex.html), and the health education hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:35
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