By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Hong Kong health officials continue their investigation into a apparent Salmonella outbreak linked to sandwiches.

Image/CDC

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) reports identifying  a total of 89 clusters of suspected food poisonings affecting 215 persons. Among them, stool specimens of six affected persons and one food remnant sample tested positive for Group D Salmonella.

All affected persons are now in stable condition.

Officials suspect the sandwiches were produced by an unlicensed food factory in Hong Kong. No specific ingredients have been implicated.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause foodborne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it. Symptoms of infection may include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The illness primarily impacts young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill after exposure to Salmonella.

CHP notes to prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:

• Patronize only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hot pot 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 food;
• Do not patronize illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• 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.

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