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Lo Hoi-ying

Hong Kong’s health authorities are investigating two food poisoning clusters linked to five people falling ill after eating raw oysters, adding to dozens of cases recorded in recent weeks.
Officials also reminded residents on Sunday to maintain personal hygiene, as norovirus was more active in the winter months from December to March.
The Centre for Health Protection reported that the latest two epidemiologically linked food poisoning clusters involved Chef’s Cuts at The Southside shopping centre in Wong Chuk Hang, affecting two men and three women aged between 30 and 38.
They developed diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever about 14 to 49 hours after consuming raw oysters on January 30, according to the centre.
Three of them sought medical advice but did not require hospitalisation. All of the affected individuals are currently in a stable condition.
Chef’s Cuts told the South China Morning Post that it had suspended supplying raw oysters.
“We have immediately suspended the supply of these items at our establishments,” a spokeswoman said. “Meanwhile, we are conducting a thorough investigation of our supply chain, and are working closely with [the centre] to assist in their investigation as part of our commitment to safety measures.”
She stressed that the operator was taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and quality of its food.


The chain’s branch at the Gold Coast Piazza in Tuen Mun said raw oysters were only served at its restaurants in The Southside and Kai Tak’s Airside shopping centre.
The food safety centre instructed raw oyster suppliers Jeton International Food and 88 Investment Holdings to stop supplying the food immediately. All restaurants should also stop selling the seafood supplied by the two companies, it said.
“Food poisoning cases have continuously increased over the past few weeks, rising from one case a week on average in late December last year to four cases a week on average in January,” Dr Edwin Tsui Lok-kin, the centre’s controller, said.
“Epidemiological investigation showed that all the affected persons of the food poisoning cases related to norovirus had consumed raw oysters during the incubation period.”

Between January 18 and February 7, the centre recorded 34 food poisoning cases, affecting 108 people. In 30 cases, residents had eaten oysters and contracted norovirus.
Five people were admitted to hospital, but were in a stable condition, Tsui added.
According to the centre’s data, the acute gastroenteritis activity level has continued to increase since early January, including acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in institutions and schools, with 60 per cent of the outbreaks caused by norovirus.
“As the Lunar New Year holiday is approaching, members of the public have more opportunities to have parties with food delivery services or hotpot,” Tsui said.
“To prevent food poisoning, apart from maintaining personal hygiene, they should also consume [only] thoroughly washed and cooked food.”
He reminded residents, especially pregnant women, young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, to avoid eating raw oysters.
“As oysters feed by filtering a large volume of seawater, pathogens can accumulate in them if they are grown in or harvested from contaminated water,” he said, adding that raw and partially cooked oysters were considered a high-risk food.
Additional reporting by Edith Lin


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Officials have reminded residents to maintain personal hygiene, as norovirus was more active in the winter months from December to March. Photo: Getty Images

Chef’s Cuts at The Southside shopping centre in Wong Chuk Hang. Photo: Handout

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News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Five people fall ill after eating the seafood at Chef’s Cuts in Wong Chuk Hang, according to health authorities


Five people fall ill after eating the seafood at Chef’s Cuts in Wong Chuk Hang, according to health authorities.


Centre for Food Safety (HK)

Centre for Health Protection

China

2 more food poisoning clusters tied to consuming raw oysters in Hong Kong

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Five people fall ill after eating the seafood at Chef’s Cuts in Wong Chuk Hang, according to health authorities

Five people fall ill after eating the seafood at Chef’s Cuts in Wong Chuk Hang, according to health authorities