CHP investigates two suspected food poisoning clusters
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 7) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting six persons and reminds the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

     The first cluster involves two men and one woman aged 30 to 34 who developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever about 11 to 14 hours after having dinner at a food premises in North Point on July 5. All of them sought medical consultation but did not require hospitalisation.

     The other cluster comprises one man and two women aged 18 to 19 who developed similar symptoms about 23 to 28 hours after having dinner at the same premises on July 3. All of them sought medical consultation. One of the patients was admitted to a private hospital and has been discharged.

     All the affected persons are now in stable condition. The CHP's investigations are proceeding.

     To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:

* Eat thoroughly cooked food;
* Avoid eating raw seafood;
* Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
* 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/Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:24

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