HONG KONG- A second wave of food poisoning struck Cathay Pacific (CX) flight CX640 from Kathmandu (KTM) to Hong Kong (HKG) on Thursday, January 9, affecting fifteen passengers.
Five passengers required immediate medical attention at North Lantau Hospital upon landing at 5 am, consisting of four males and one female.
Photo: By lasta29 – Cathay Pacific Airways, A330-300, B-LBG, CC BY 2.0Cathay Pacific Food Poisoning
The outbreak follows Wednesday’s incident where ten passengers on the same route experienced food poisoning symptoms. These initial cases, involving six males and four females aged 21 to 38, developed symptoms within 10 to 30 minutes of consuming in-flight meals.
The Centre for Health Protection’s (CPH) investigation revealed nine of Wednesday’s affected passengers consumed identical takeaway meals before boarding. These meals, consisting of chicken, cucumber, and tomato sandwiches, were eaten approximately two hours before flight departure.
Epidemiological evidence points to these pre-flight sandwiches as the likely source of the initial outbreak. The CHP now faces the task of determining whether Thursday’s cases share the same origin or stem from a separate contamination source.
Health authorities have not yet confirmed whether Thursday’s fifteen affected passengers consumed the same sandwiches linked to Wednesday’s outbreak. The Centre for Health Protection actively investigates both incidents, collecting in-flight meal samples for laboratory analysis.
Cathay Pacific’s Wednesday response detailed immediate assistance protocols activated by cabin crew for the initial ten affected passengers. The airline implemented established medical procedures, coordinating with Hong Kong authorities and medical teams before landing.
The airline committed to thorough aircraft disinfection procedures and launched an internal investigation into the food poisoning incidents.
Company representatives acknowledged the swift response from medical personnel and expressed appreciation for unaffected passengers’ understanding during the disruption.
Photo: United AirlinesSimilar Incidents
A food poisoning outbreak struck United Airlines (UA) at Denver International Airport (DEN), affecting over 200 flight attendants and additional employees who consumed holiday meals.
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA confirmed the direct link between the meal service and illness symptoms. United Airlines utilized badge scanning during meal distribution, creating a comprehensive record of affected personnel.
The aviation industry encountered multiple food safety challenges throughout late 2024. Delta Air Lines (DL) suspended hot meal service on more than 200 Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport flights in October due to safety concerns at their local catering facility. The airline immediately closed the affected kitchen facility.
Photo: Charles | FlickrA separate incident in November 2024 impacted international flights arriving at Tokyo’s Narita Airport (NRT) from Guam (GUM). Japan Airlines (JL) Flight JL942 reported 16 ill passengers, while United Airlines Flight UA873 documented 18 cases. The outbreak primarily affected traveling high school students, with fourteen passengers requiring hospitalization upon arrival.
Japan Airlines ruled out inflight meals as the source, noting that several passengers exhibited symptoms before departure from Guam. This timing suggests contamination originated at a common source in Guam rather than during the flights.
Featured Image By Clément Alloing | Flickr
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