CHP investigates two food poisoning clusters
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 17) investigating two epidemiologically linked food poisoning clustersaffecting eight persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.
The first cluster involved five females aged between 27 and 40, who developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting about 19.5 to 37.5 hours after having a buffet dinnerat Promenade Restaurant at Harbour Plaza Metropolis located in Hung Hom on December 10.
The second cluster involved three females aged between 26 and 47, who developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea about 10 to 18 hours after having a buffet dinner at the same restaurant on December 11.
Four of the affected persons sought medical advice. None required hospitalisation.
Initial investigations by the CHP revealed that the affected persons had consumed common food including raw oysters. The incident might have been caused by norovirus or Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
Personnel from the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have conducted an inspection at the restaurant, took food samples for laboratory testing, and instructed the premises concerned to suspend serving incriminated food items with immediate effect and carry out cleaning and disinfection of the premises. The officers have also provided health education related to food safety and environmental hygiene to the staff of the premises.
The CHP and CFS's investigation is ongoing, and it cannot be ruled out that the number of cases will increase.
Norovirus infection typically causes acute gastroenteritis. It is also a common cause of food poisoning and is very often related to consumption of undercooked or raw shellfish. These diseases affect people of all age groups and tend to be more common during winter. Vibrio parahaemolyticus is commonly found in coastal waters where people are infected by eating raw or undercooked seafood.
To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out, one should:
Avoid eating raw seafood;
Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters at a buffet;
Choose pasteurised eggs, egg products or dried egg powder for dishes that often use lightly cooked or uncooked eggs;
Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
Store and reheat pre-cooked or leftover foods properly before consumption;
Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hotpot 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 foods;
Avoid patronising illegal food hawkers;
Drink boiled water;
Refrain from trying to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.
Hong Kong Customs detects case involving possession of suspected "space oil drug" and suspected illicit cigarettes by incoming passenger at West Kowloon Station of XRL
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 4) detected one case involving possession of etomidate (the main ingredient of "space oil drug"), a kind of Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations, and violation of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance by an incoming passenger at the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL). A total of one bottle of suspected "space oil drug" liquid and 189 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized.
A 27-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong via the West Kowloon Station of the XRL yesterday. During customs clearance, one bottle of suspected "space oil drug" and 189 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes were found in his travel bag. He was subsequently arrested.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of possession of Part 1 Poison, one count of "possession of goods to which the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance applies" and one count of failing to declare to a member of the Customs and Excise Service. The case will be brought up at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (January 6).
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking or illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour report hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs detects case involving possession of suspected "space oil drug" and suspected illicit cigarettes by incoming passenger at West Kowloon Station of XRL Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects case involving possession of suspected "space oil drug" and suspected illicit cigarettes by incoming passenger at West Kowloon Station of XRL Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
