Hong Kong health authorities warn of norovirus infection risk in Japan amid food poisoning cases
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong health authorities have warned residents to be vigilant while travelling in Japan following reports of more than a hundred cases of norovirus infections involving contaminated food in the country.
In a statement published on Saturday, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) called on Hongkongers to maintain personal, environmental, and food hygiene when visiting Japan to minimise the risk of food poisoning.
“According to the Japanese authorities, more than 150 people have been infected with norovirus since last month after patronising Kiichi, a Japanese restaurant in Osaka Prefecture, or eating Japanese confectionery (including strawberry daifuku) produced by the Kiyotsuki Co. Ltd in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture,” said Edwin Tsui, controller of the CHP, in the statement.
There was also an increase in infectious gastroenteritis in Japan recently, he added.
Norovirus is highly contagious and is more active in winter, according to the CHP. Individuals may contract the virus through eating contaminated food and coming into contact with the vomit or discharge of an infected person. It may also be transmitted through contact with contaminated objects.
Tsui also warned the infection “may lead to a large-scale outbreak” and urged people to wash their hands with soap and water, instead of alcohol-based sanitisers, because “alcohol is not effective in killing norovirus.”
Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, mild fever, and malaise. Most patients recover on their own and symptoms usually improve within one to three days, the CHP said.
According to Japanese newspaper The Mainichi, 33 people had food poisoning after eating a traditional multi-course Japanese meal called “kaiseki,” and catered boxed meals, at the Kiichi restaurant in mid-February. Some restaurant staff were also infected.
Following a two-day closure in late February, the restaurant reopened and patrons had food poisoning once again. The eatery is currently under an indefinite government-ordered suspension.
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