CHP investigating case of suspected food poisoning
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    The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 7) investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving 10 people.

    The affected are one man and nine women aged from 19 and 28.  They developed gastroenteritis symptoms, including diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain about three to 19 hours after consuming a meal at a training school in South District yesterday.

    All of them sought medical treatment from Ruttonjee Hospital and no hospitalisation was required.

    Further investigation is in progress.

    People are reminded to observe good 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 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/Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:00

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