The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Influenza A in a male psychiatric ward, the spokesperson for Shatin Hospital made the… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 6) investigating a food poisoning outbreak related to the consumption of wild mushrooms, and urged the public not to pick and eat wild mushrooms.
The patients are three women aged from 36 to 45 who developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and sweating 30 minutes after consuming wild mushrooms at home yesterday. All were admitted to Ruttonjee Hospital on the same day. They remained in a stable condition and have been discharged.
Initial investigations revealed that the wild mushrooms consumed by the patients were picked near Bowen Road on Hong Kong Island yesterday. The CHP’s investigation is ongoing.
“Members of the public should not pick wild mushrooms for consumption as it is difficult to distinguish edible mushroom species from inedible ones,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
“Mushroom poisoning is generally acute. Common presentations include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain appearing shortly after ingestion. Depending on the mushroom species, patients may also have other symptoms like profuse sweating, hallucination, coma or other neurological symptoms, as well as liver failure. Death may result in severe cases,” he added.
“If mushroom poisoning is suspected, the patient should seek immediate medical attention and bring along any available remnant for identification,” the spokesman said. read more
Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals: The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 6) that du… read more
The Hong Kong Police Force today (April 6) held the Police Recruitment Day (Spring) at the Police Headquarters to recruit Probationary Inspectors, Recruit Police Constables and Police Constables (Auxiliary). &nbs… read more
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 5) seized 82.5 kilograms of suspected rhino horn and cut pieces with an estimated market value of about $16.5 million from a transshipment cargo at the Hong Kong International Airport. This is a record high seizure of suspected rhino horn under smuggling by the department in the past five years.
Customs officers screened a transshipment cargo arrived from South Africa with Malaysia as its destination.
The cargo was declared as “auto parts” but suspicious X-ray images were found over it. The seizure was made subsequent to the opening of the consignment.
The case has been handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up action.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and an imprisonment for ten years.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to the Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
