The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 30) provided an update on its investigation announced on November 28 into three suspected food poisoning outbreaks. All affected persons had consumed food at a food premises in Tsim Sha Tsui on November 24.
 
     Subsequent to its follow-up investigations, the CHP has newly identified six clusters with 19 affected persons comprising eight men and 11 women aged 2 to 52. They developed fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea about six to 69 hours after having dinner at the restaurant.
 
     Moreover, four more affected persons were identified from the clusters reported on November 28. 
 
     This brings the total number of clusters to nine with 35 affected persons so far, comprising 16 males and 19 females aged 2 to 52. Twenty-eight of them sought medical consultation and six were admitted to hospitals. Two were discharged after hospitalisation. All affected persons are currently in stable condition. The stool specimens of three patients tested positive for Group D Salmonella upon testing by the hospitals concerned.
 
     All the reported cases had meals at the food premises concerned before investigation and control measures instituted by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, and no additional cases have been reported after the control measures were implemented.
 
     To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
 

• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hot pot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• 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/Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:40

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