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The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is today (August 2) investigating a suspected food poisoning outbreak involving 19 persons and reminded people to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The affected were 11 males and eight females aged 21 to 44. They developed symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and fever, about 21 to 36 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui on July 27.
Eleven of them sought medical consultation; none required hospitalisation. All of them are in stable condition.
The CHP's investigation is continuing.
People are reminded to maintain 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, sushi and raw oysters, at 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; and
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.
Ends/Thursday, August 2, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:13
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