Probe launched after 55 Hong Kong camp-goers suffered diarrhoea, vomiting following pasta dinner
- Group had eaten meal at Jockey Club Duke of Edinburgh Training Camp in Tai Po, according to source
- 10 ambulances deployed while health department sends staff to camp to investigate
A cluster of 55 Hong Kong camp-goers, mostly teenagers, were hit by food poisoning and suffered diarrhoea and vomiting at a site in the New Territories on Monday, prompting an investigation by authorities.
A source familiar with the case said the group had eaten penne carbonara for dinner at the Jockey Club Duke of Edinburgh Training Camp in Tai Po at about 6.30pm on Sunday.
The source said the patients were among 72 from a church organisation who had joined a three-day event at the training camp between Saturday and Monday.
The Centre for Health Protection on Monday night said 55 campers had food poisoning as its initial investigation found one of the causes was meals kept at the incorrect temperature.
The Fire Services Department sent 10 ambulances to the site in the morning after receiving a call that multiple cases were involved.
The centre said 24 males and 31 females, aged seven to 49, developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea about eight to 16 hours after having dinner on Sunday.
Thirty-six people were taken to four public hospitals – Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po, North District Hospital in Sheung Shui, Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin, and Pok Oi Hospital in Yuen Long.
All of the patients were treated and discharged, a government spokesman confirmed.
The health department said staff from its Centre for Health Protection had gone to the site to investigate.
