CHP investigates two suspected food poisoning clusters

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 9) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting seven persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

     The first cluster involved three males and two females aged 26 to 39, who developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever about nine to 18 hours after having lunch at a restaurant in Tai Wai on October 3.
 
     Another cluster involved two females aged 24 to 49, who developed similar symptoms about 18 to 20 hours after having dinner at the same restaurant on the same day.

     All affected persons sought medical advice and five of them required hospitalisation. Four have been discharged after treatment. All affected persons are in a stable condition.
 
     "We have alerted the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to the incident and investigations are ongoing," a spokesman for the CHP said.

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

  • Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
  • 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 utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
  • 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.

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