The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 15) investigating a case of suspected mad honey poisoning, and reminded the public to buy honey from a reliable source or apiary.

     A 35-year-old male developed dizziness and vomiting around 30 minutes after consuming honey yesterday (June 14). He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital today and was admitted for treatment due to hypotension and bradycardia. The patient was in stable condition. His clinical diagnosis was suspected mad honey poisoning.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient consumed honey mailed to Hong Kong by a friend from Nepal. The poisoning might have been caused by grayanotoxin. Investigations are ongoing.

     “Mad honey poisoning is caused by ingestion of honey containing grayanotoxins derived from plants belonging to the Ericaceae family, including rhododendrons. Grayanotoxins are neurotoxins which can affect nerves and muscles. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, weakness, excessive perspiration, hypersalivation and paraesthesia shortly after ingestion. In severe cases, hypotension, bradycardia or shock may occur,” a spokesman for the CHP explained.

     Members of the public are reminded to take heed of the following preventive advice:

• Buy honey from a reliable source or apiary;
• Discard honey with a bitter or astringent taste – grayanotoxin-containing honey may cause a burning sensation in the throat; and
• Pay special attention to honey from India, Nepal and the Black Sea region of Türkiye as there have been grayanotoxin poisoning cases connected with honey from these areas.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 2) investigating a case of suspected mad honey poisoning, and reminded the public to buy honey from a reliable source or apiary.

     A 56-year-old male developed dizziness and vomiting around 30 minutes after consuming honey on January 31. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Mary Hospital and was admitted for treatment on the same day due to hypotension and bradycardia. The patient was in stable condition and was discharged yesterday (February 1). His clinical diagnosis was suspected mad honey poisoning.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient consumed home-made honey mailed to Hong Kong by a friend from Nepal. The poisoning might have been caused by grayanotoxin. Investigations are ongoing.

     “Mad honey poisoning is caused by ingestion of honey containing grayanotoxins derived from plants belonging to the Ericaceae family, including rhododendrons. Grayanotoxins are neurotoxins which can affect nerves and muscles. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, weakness, excessive perspiration, hypersalivation and paraesthesia shortly after ingestion. In severe cases, hypotension, bradycardia or shock may occur,” a spokesman for the CHP explained.

     Members of the public are reminded to take heed of the following preventive advice:
 

• Buy honey from a reliable source or apiary;
• Discard honey with a bitter or astringent taste – grayanotoxin-containing honey may cause a burning sensation in the throat; and
• Pay special attention to honey from India, Nepal and the Black Sea region of Türkiye as there have been grayanotoxin poisoning cases connected with honey from these areas.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 30) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting nine persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.

     The first cluster involved four females, aged between 25 and 38, who developed abdominal pain and diarrhoea about 9 to 12 hours after consuming food provided by a caterer on December 21.

     The other cluster involved two males and three females, aged between two and 71, who developed similar symptoms about 9 to 18 hours after consuming the food ordered from the same caterer on December 25.

     All of the affected persons have not sought medical advice. All affected persons are in stable condition.

     Initial investigations of the CHP revealed that the affected persons had consumed common food and the food concerned were diced beef and beef ribs in red wine sauce. The incident might have been caused by Clostridium perfringens.

     The personnel from the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have conducted an inspection at the caterer’s premises. The CHP’s investigation is ongoing.

     To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:

• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Pre-cooked or leftover foods should be stored and reheated properly before consumption;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hotpot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked foods;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.