9th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) Cathay Pacific Airways reported that 15 passengers on flight CX640, arriving from Kathmandu at around 3am today, Nepal, exhibited symptoms consistent with food poisoning. The airline notified the airport control tower, prompting the dispatch of six ambulances to the scene. By 5am, five affected passengers—four men and one woman—were taken to North Lantau Hospital for treatment, accompanied by a flight attendant.
This incident follows a separate outbreak reported by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) on 8th January, involving ten passengers who experienced similar symptoms shortly after their meal on a flight from Nepal. They reported vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and fever within 10 to 30 minutes of eating. The affected individuals, aged between 21 and 38, were investigated by the Port Health Division upon the flight’s arrival. Four sought medical assistance but did not require hospitalisation.
Preliminary findings suggest that the in-flight meal included bread, fruit, salad, lamb and chicken rice, and ice cream. Notably, nine of the ten affected passengers had recently participated in an exchange trip to Nepal and consumed takeaway sandwiches prior to boarding, which may have contributed to the outbreak. The CHP believes these sandwiches are a likely source of the illness.
The investigation is ongoing, and the CHP has collected food samples from the flight for testing. They urge any passengers from flight CX640 to contact their hotline at 2125 2372 for follow-up and monitoring. The hotline will be active from 9th to 10th January, between 9am and 5pm Passengers experiencing symptoms are advised to seek immediate medical attention.
Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific has confirmed that a group of passengers on flight CX640 from Kathmandu, Nepal, to Hong Kong on 7th January experienced physical discomfort and suspected food poisoning shortly after the in-flight meal service began. Some affected passengers had dined together prior to boarding.
Upon becoming aware of the situation, the cabin crew promptly provided assistance, monitored the passengers’ conditions, and sought medical advice as per standard protocol. Medical teams, airport ground staff, and multiple ambulances were alerted to be on standby, with paramedics boarding immediately after the aircraft landed at Hong Kong International Airport. Following assessments, several passengers required further medical evaluation, and staff were sent to the hospital to assist. The remaining unaffected passengers were cleared to disembark as per normal procedures.
Passengers needing additional medical care were discharged from the hospital on the morning of 8th January. Cathay Pacific arranged hotel accommodations for those with connecting flights and assisted others in retrieving their luggage. The aircraft will undergo thorough sanitisation and deep cleaning before returning to service, and Cathay Pacific is conducting a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
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