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The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health is today (November 5) investigating two suspected food poisoning outbreaks involving six persons and reminded people to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first cluster involved four males, aged between 35 and 43. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain and fever about 13 to 21 hours after having lunch at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui on October 27. Two of them sought medical consultation but did not require hospitalisation.
The second cluster involved two males, aged 33 and 35 respectively. They developed similar symptoms about 15 to 21 hours after having dinner in the same restaurant on the same day. They sought medical consultation but did not require hospitalisation.
All the affected people are in stable condition. The 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/Monday, November 5, 2012
Issued at HKT 21:15
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