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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 28) investigating two suspected food poisoning cases involving a total of 35 persons.
The first case, comprising four males and 10 females aged between five and 45, joined a school fair at a school on April 26. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms, including diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever nine to 27 hours after having snack food at the fair.
Thirteen of them sought medical treatment from a private hospital while one of them was admitted to hospital and is now in stable condition.
The second group consisted of six men and 15 women aged from 19 to 54 who had meals provided by a food supplier in their office on April 25. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms, including diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever 7 to 37.5 hours after having their lunch. Three of them sought medical treatment from the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and Tseung Kwan O Hospital. No hospitalisation was required. Fourteen others seek medical treatment from private and public and private clinics.
Further investigation is in progress.
The public are reminded to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent food-borne diseases. When dining out:
* Only patronise 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 and raw oysters in 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;
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.
Ends/Monday, April 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:01
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