The Centre for Health Protection is investigating two suspected food poisoning outbreaks involving 16 people.

One of the outbreaks affected 12 people who ate takeaway food provided by a restaurant in Yuen Long on February 15.

The seven men and five women, aged 21 to 48, developed diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain and fever. One was admitted to St Teresa Hospital and has been discharged. Seven of them sought medical consultation and all are in stable condition.

Another outbreak affected four who ate takeaway food provided by the same restaurant at home on February 8. The patients developed diarrhoea, nausea, fever and vomiting. Three of the patients had sought medical treatment but no hospitalisation was required.

Initial investigations suggested these were outbreaks of bacterial food poisoning. Further investigations are underway.

Health tips

To prevent food borne diseases, people, especially food handlers, are urged to:

* clean and cook food thoroughly before consumption, particularly seafood like shrimps, crabs, oysters and clams;

* wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet;

* handle raw and cooked food with separate utensils to prevent cross contamination;

* keep raw and cooked food separately;

* store food in the refrigerator (at 4 degrees Celsius or below) and adequately reheat leftover food before consumption; and,

* keep the environment clean.