The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 7) investigating a suspected food poisoning outbreak in a residential care home for the disabled in Kwai Chung, and reminded management of institutions to maintain food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

     According to its management, over 40 staff members have reported symptoms of acute gastroenteritis since yesterday (July 6). The CHP has so far reached and identified 16 affected persons including six men and ten women aged from 25 to 55 who developed diarrhoea and abdominal pain about three to 20 hours after having lunch in the institution yesterday. Among them, two sought medical attention and required no hospitalisation. All affected persons identified have been in stable condition.

     No residents were reported to have gastroenteritis symptoms at this stage.
 
     To prevent food-borne diseases, institutions are advised to:
 

• Choose and monitor food suppliers carefully; and
• Hot foods should be kept at above 60 degrees Celsius while cold foods should be kept at four degrees Celsius or below.

     In general, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
 

• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hot pot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• 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 7, 2017
Issued at HKT 20:25

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