Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection is investigating two epidemiologically linked food-poisoning clusters involving seven people after they ate at The Astor restaurant in Yau Ma Tei. The group was reported to comprise one man and six women aged between 21 and 67.
The diners ate buffet meals on August 29 or 30 at The Astor, on the basement first floor of Eaton HK. They developed symptoms about 13 to 44 hours after eating, including diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever.
Four of the affected people sought medical advice. None required hospital admission and all were in stable condition, according to the reports.
Officials from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Centre for Food Safety and the Centre for Health Protection have inspected the restaurant, reviewed its food-handling procedures and hygiene conditions, and collected food samples for testing.
The Centre for Food Safety instructed the restaurant to stop serving the food involved, clean and disinfect its premises, and provide staff with food-safety and environmental-hygiene training. The health authorities’ investigation is continuing, and no specific food, contaminant or cause has been confirmed.