Press Release

Suspected food poisoning case investigated

22 Jun 2011

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 22) investigating a suspected food poisoning case involving 14 members of a study tour group and reminded people to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

The affected, three males and 11 females aged between 10 and 48 years, arrived in Hong Kong from Taiwan on June 20. They developed gastroenteritis symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever about 10 to 35 hours after having dinner in a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui in the evening of June 20.

All of them sought medical treatment but hospitalisation was not required. All affected persons are in stable condition.

The investigation is on-going.

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 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.