The Hong Kong health authorities have issued a warning after multiple cases of norovirus infection were reported from consuming local foods such as banquet courses and strawberry daifuku in Japan.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 9th (local time), Dr. Edwin Choi, director of the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP), said, “Please pay attention to personal, environmental, and food hygiene to minimize the risk of food poisoning while traveling in Japan.”
Dr. Choi cited Japanese authorities, stating, “More than 150 people have been infected with norovirus after consuming Japanese confectionaries such as strawberry daifuku produced by Kiyotsuki Co. in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, or dining at a Japanese restaurant called Kiichi in Osaka Prefecture last month.”
According to Japanese media such as the Mainichi Shimbun, 56 people showed symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting after dining at Kiichi on two occasions last month. Kiichi is a renowned restaurant that specializes in Japanese banquet courses, known as ‘kaiseki,’ and is listed in the Kansai Michelin Guide. A public health investigation revealed the presence of norovirus, resulting in a suspension of operations.
Additionally, on the 3rd and 4th of last month, 23 people showed symptoms of food poisoning after consuming strawberry daifuku from a traditional confectionary store in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture. Norovirus was detected in some patients and shop staff members, leading to a five-day business suspension for the confectionary store.
Dr. Choi explained that norovirus is more active in winter. He mentioned, “It can be transmitted through contaminated food consumption, contact with an infected person’s feces, and contact with contaminated objects,” adding that “norovirus is highly contagious and can easily lead to large-scale outbreaks with minimal exposure.”