Hong Kong's Department of Health announced on Saturday an investigation into a possible food poisoning cluster affecting 53 trainees believed to be from the Hong Kong Police College. The cases involve 48 males and five females, aged 20 to 40, who developed symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever since Thursday evening.
Hong Kong health authorities have launched an investigation into a potential food poisoning cluster that has affected 53 trainees understood to be from the Hong Kong Police College. The Department of Health stated on Saturday that the 48 male and five female trainees, aged 20 to 40, had developed symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever since Thursday evening. It referred to the location only as a training institute in its statement.
A source confirmed to the South China Morning Post that the institute was the Hong Kong Police College, which was notified by staff on Friday that some trainees had shown symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, such as diarrhoea and vomiting. The college then informed the Centre for Health Protection that day, the source said.
“The college has reminded its staff and trainees to be vigilant and mindful of their personal, environmental and food hygiene,” the source added.
The Department of Health is working with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to probe the possible pathogen and conduct medical surveillance at the college. The incident occurred at the Hong Kong Police College, located in southern Hong Kong Island.