28 Jun 2011
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a cluster of two suspected food poisoning outbreaks affecting a total of nine persons, and reminds people to maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
The first outbreak involved one male and one female aged 24 and 25 respectively. They developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fever and nausea 11 to 23 hours after having dinner in a restaurant in Jordan on June 19. Both of them sought medical treatment but did not require hospitalisation.
The second one involved two males and five females aged from 33 to 34. They developed abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting about 20 to 41 hours after having dinner in the same restaurant on June 25. Six of them had sought medical treatment and did not require hospitalisation.
All affected are in stable condition. Investigation continues.
Members of the public are reminded to maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent food-borne diseases.
When dining out:
* 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 in 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.