The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (November 2) investigating a suspected Mycobacterium abscessus infection cluster involving five customers who have received injections at a premises under the name of “Gals Glam Beauty” (with Instagram social media account of “90s__beautygirls” or “galsglam.beauty”). People who have patronised “Gals Glam Beauty” and received relevant injections or suspect they have experienced relevant symptoms, are urged to seek medical attention and contact the CHP as soon as possible.

     The infection cluster involved five females aged 26 to 53. They have patronised “Gals Glam Beauty” and received injection services claiming to have slimming effects from June to August this year at premises respectively located at 6/F, Hop Hing Industrial Building, 702-704 Castle Peak Road, Lai Chi Kok or 10/F, Block A, Alexandra Industrial Building, 23-27 Wing Hong Street, Lai Chi Kok. Each treatment included four to five injections. The five females developed a rash, induration and abscess, one day to few weeks after the injection. All patients have sought medical attention and two of them were admitted for treatment, among which one is still hospitalised. Abscess samples of the two admitted patients grew Mycobacterium abscessus and all patients are in stable condition.

     Upon receiving relevant information of the cases, the CHP took immediate actions and conducted on-site investigations at the relevant premises with the Police yesterday (November 1) and today. Investigations include the professional qualification of the personnel responsible for the injections, if it involved possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or unlicensed medical practice etc. Acting on the information provided by the patients, the CHP also visited two other premises located at 4/F, Wing Hong Centre, 18 Wing Hong Street, Lai Chi Kok, and 12/F, I Do Centre, 749A Nathan Road, Prince Edward, for follow-up investigation. Investigations are ongoing.

     The CHP has set up an enquiry hotline (2125 2372) for the related infection cases, which operates from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5.30pm, starting tomorrow (November 3). The hotline will also operate from 9am to 1pm on November 4 and 5 to receive enquiries. Persons who presented with symptoms such as skin redness, rash, purulent or induration after receiving injections at the above premises should seek medical attention and call the hotline immediately. Officers of the CHP will assess their condition and arrange for a follow-up as appropriate.

     “Mycobacterium abscessus is found in water, soil, and dust. It has been known to contaminate medications and medical devices. Infection with Mycobacterium abscessus is usually caused by injections of substances contaminated with the bacterium or through invasive medical procedures employing contaminated equipment or material. Infection can also occur after accidental injury where the wound is contaminated by soil. There is very little risk of transmission from person to person. Mycobacterium abscessus can cause a variety of infections including skin and the soft tissues under the skin. Individuals with underlying respiratory conditions or impaired immune systems are at risk of lung infection. Skin infected with Mycobacterium abscessus is usually red, warm, tender to the touch, swollen, and/or painful. Infected areas can also develop purulent or induration. Other signs of Mycobacterium abscessus infection are fever, chills, muscle aches, and a general feeling of illness,” a spokesman for the DH said.
 
     The spokesman added that treatment of infections due to Mycobacterium abscessus consists of draining collections of pus or removing the infected tissue and administering the appropriate combination of antibiotics, while infection with this bacterium usually might not improve with the usual antibiotics used to treat general skin infections. Case doctors should pay attention to the treatment result of the medicines.

     Based on information obtained in a preliminary investigation, the CHP cannot rule out the possibility of unlicensed medical practice. The DH reminded members of the public that injection procedures should only be performed by a locally registered doctor. Customers should look for his or her full name against the list of registered doctors of the Medical Council of Hong Kong as well as his or her professional qualifications and relevant experience. The DH also urged the public to observe the health advice below before receiving injections:
 

• Understand the procedure, potential risks and complications before receiving injections. Consult a doctor for an informed decision;
• Do not receive an injection in the case of a history of allergy to the injection, or infection or inflammation on the injection site;
• Request the full name of the doctor in writing if referred by a beauty service provider for the procedure, as well as the professional qualifications and relevant experience; and
• If symptoms develop, such as fever or feeling unwell, seek medical attention immediately.

     ​The public may visit the DH’s webpage on the differentiation between medical procedures and beauty services and the Drug Database of the Drug Office for more information.​

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 16) that an aquatic product and seaweed products from regulated Japanese metropolis/prefecture were found suspected to be in breach of the relevant Food Safety Order when the CFS inspected food imported from Japan. The products concerned have been marked and sealed by the CFS and have not entered the market. The CFS is following up on the case.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, “During an inspection of the food labels of the concerned consignments of food imported from Japan, the CFS found a pack of chilled scallops suspected to have been harvested and manufactured in Miyagi Prefecture and two seaweed products suspected to have been processed in Tokyo and Ibaraki Prefecture after the Order was issued, and the importers concerned are thus suspected of breaching the relevant Order.”

     The CFS will continue to follow up on the incidents and take appropriate action, including informing the Japanese authorities concerned of the incidents. Prosecution will be instituted against the importers concerned should there be sufficient evidence. The investigation is ongoing.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 28) investigating a suspected puffer fish poisoning case, and hence reminded members of the public not to consume puffer fish.
      
     The case involves an 84-year-old man who developed dizziness, finger numbness and shortness of breath about one hour after consuming cooked puffer fish, which was caught by himself on that day in local waters, at home on August 25.

     He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in the small hours on August 26 and was admitted for treatment. He is now in stable condition.

     Investigations by the CHP are continuing.
      
     A spokesman for the CHP said that consumption of puffer fish is the main cause of food poisoning from tetrodotoxin, which is a potent water-soluble neurotoxin that can affect the central nervous system.

     “Organs such as the liver, gonads and skin of puffer fish have high concentrations of tetrodotoxin. Being heat-stable, the toxin does not decompose upon cooking, boiling, drying or freezing. Tetrodotoxin intoxication can cause problems in respiration and circulation, and is potentially fatal. There is no known antidote or antitoxin that can decompose tetrodotoxin. Members of the public are advised to avoid purchasing and preparing puffer fish or unknown fish for consumption to prevent tetrodotoxin-related food poisoning,” the spokesman said.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 18) investigating a case of suspected food poisoning and reminded the public not to pick or consume wild plants, and to beware of vegetables containing calcium oxalate raphide to avoid food poisoning due to accidental consumption of giant alocasia.

     The female patient, aged 69, developed oral numbness, a burning sensation of the mouth and shortness of breath shortly after consuming a wild taro brought from the Mainland as a gift from a friend in Tai Po yesterday (August 17). She visited a private doctor on the same day. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of North District Hospital today and was admitted for further treatment on the same day. She is now in stable condition. The clinical diagnosis was suspected calcium oxalate raphide poisoning.

     The CHP’s investigation is ongoing.

     Taro is a popular ingredient used to prepare various dishes and desserts. However, some plants look like taro (e.g. giant alocasia) but contain toxins which can cause food poisoning. Consuming plants containing calcium oxalate raphide (a needle-shaped crystal of the chemical) can injure the skin and mucous membranes and cause irritation, such as numbness and burning sensation of the tongue, mouth and lips, and swelling of the tongue and lips. Consumption of vegetables accidentally mixed with calcium oxalate raphide-containing plants may also cause food poisoning.

     Members of the public should take heed of the following when consuming vegetables:
 

• Do not pick or consume wild plants;
• Purchase vegetables from reliable suppliers; and
• Remove any plants mixed with edible vegetables and wash them thoroughly before cooking and consumption.

     ​​The public may visit the pages on Food Poisoning Related to the Giant Alocasia and Calcium Oxalate Food Poisoning of the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for more information and health advice.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 18) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting five persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.

     The first cluster involved two females, aged 29 and 30, who developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and fever about 13.5 to 15 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui on August 15.

     The other cluster involved three females, aged 22 to 49, who developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and fever about 13 to 14 hours after having dinner at the same restaurant on the same day.

     Three of the affected persons sought medical advice and two of them required hospitalisation. 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 was pancake. The poisoning might have been caused by Salmonella.
 
     The personnel from the CHP and the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today conducted an inspection at the restaurant. 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.