Oysters blamed for outbreak of food poisoning in Hong Kong

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Thursday October 12, 2006

Hong Kong- Hong Kong health officials issued a warning on Thursday following a spate of poisoning cases suspected to have been caused by oysters. At least 33 people have developed symptoms of food poisoning over the last two weeks after eating raw oysters from four different food premises, said a Department of Health spokesman. The latest case was reported on October 10.

The spokesman said raw oysters were considered a high-risk food housing harmful diseases such as the norovirus, the hepatitis A virus, or vibrio parahaemolyticus if eaten without cooking.

"As such, people should pay special attention to such health risks. High risk populations including children, elderly and people with immune deficiency are advised not to eat raw oysters," the spokesman said.

So far this year there have been 75 suspected food poisoning cases affecting 303 people involving contaminated raw or undercooked oysters. This compares to 70 cases affecting 329 people last year.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency