Police on Thursday said they had arrested four people linked to a beauty centre in Jordan where three women developed botulism symptoms after receiving injections of botulinum toxin.

Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by botulinum toxin, which is used as a beauty treatment -- with symptoms such as fatigue, vision problems and difficulties in breathing.

The four suspects – three women and one man – were picked up by officers in Yau Ma Tei, Tseung Kwan O and Tsuen Wan early Thursday morning.

Police said one of the suspects had allegedly practised without registration as a medical practitioner, a private doctor was detained on suspicion of assisting medical practice without registration, and two others were accused of conspiracy to practice medicine without registration.

The force added two of the suspects had allegedly possessed poisons.

Officers also said they did not rule out making further arrests.

Three women, aged 42 to 45, suffered from suspected poisoning following botulinum toxin injections at CC Beauty on Shanghai Street in Jordan last month.

In a statement, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said it has set up an enquiry hotline and urged people who developed botulism symptoms after receiving injections from the beauty centre in question to contact authorities as soon as possible.

"Officers of the CHP will assess their condition and arrange for a follow-up as appropriate," it said.

"Due to the weakening of associated muscles and the fact that botulinum toxin may spread and affect other areas beyond the injection site, affected patients may present with the above-mentioned symptoms, which may happen hours, days or weeks after the injection."

A spokesman for the Department of Health said such injections should only be performed by locally registered doctors, and customers should check the professional qualifications and relevant experience of service providers.

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Last updated: 2022-12-16 HKT 16:12