Health authorities probe possible food poisoning cluster at police college

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 said on Saturday that 48 male and five female trainees, aged 20 to 40, had developed symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever since Thursday evening.It did not name the police college in its statement, only referring to the location as a training institute.A source confirmed to the South China Morning Post that the institute was the police college, which was notified by its staff on Friday that some trainees had displayed symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, such as diarrhoea and vomiting.The college then notified 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.