Hong Kong diners urged to avoid raw oysters as more food poisoning cases found

Hong Kong health authorities have urged diners not to eat raw oysters for the time being after another seven people in two groups suffered norovirus-related food poisoning from consuming the seafood.The Centre for Health Protection said on Thursday that six women and a man, aged between 24 and 45, came down with diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever around 28 to 36 hours after dining at a branch of the O Delice! French bistro chain in Tsim Sha Tsui on January 31 and February 1.Three sought medical advice but none required hospitalisation. All are in a stable condition.Investigations found the affected diners at the outlet in The ONE shopping centre had consumed raw oysters supplied by Jeton International Food and 88 Investment Holdings Limited. The two companies were ordered to suspend the sale and supply of raw oysters on February 6, after being linked to other cases.The restaurant chain’s outlet at the New Town Plaza shopping centre in Sha Tin was also involved in similar incidents recently, when four diners fell sick after eating raw oysters on January 31 and February 1.One person was hospitalised, with stool samples confirming norovirus infection.Centre controller Edwin Tsui Lok‑kin said food poisoning cases had risen sharply, from a weekly average of one in late December to four per week in January.