A case of cholera confirmed

26 Sep 2008

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 26) confirmed an imported case of cholera and reminded people to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene, whether in Hong Kong or travelling abroad, to prevent the disease.

The case involved a 29-year-old woman who developed watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever on September 23. She was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital on September 24 and is now in stable condition.

Laboratory tests today showed that her stool specimen yielded positive result for Vibrio cholerae Ogawa.

CHP's investigation revealed that she had travelled to the Mainland between September 19 and 23. Her travel companions did not show any symptom.

She lives in Tsuen Wan and her home contacts have no symptom of cholera.

This is the third case of cholera reported this year. There were three cholera cases in 2007, one in 2006, five in 2005, five in 2004 and seven in 2003.

A CHP spokesman said, "Whether in Hong Kong or travelling abroad, members of the public should pay attention to hygiene and take measures to prevent cholera and food-borne infection."

Members of the public are urged to:

* Wash and cook seafood thoroughly before eating, particularly crustaceans and bivalves such as shrimp, crab, oysters and clams;
* Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet;
* Handle raw and cooked food with separate utensils to prevent cross-contamination;
* Keep raw and cooked food separately;
* Store food in refrigerator (at 4 degrees Celsius or below) and thoroughly reheat leftover food before eating;
* Keep the environment clean.

When travelling outside Hong Kong, they should:
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet;
* Eat only thoroughly cooked food and food from sealed packs or cans;
* Avoid cold dishes such as salad and ice-cream;
* Drink only boiled water, canned or bottled drinks, pasteurised milk or dairy products;
* Do not add ice to drinks and do not drink fresh fruit juice that has been prepared beforehand;
* Do not patronise illegal food hawkers; and
* Wash fruit thoroughly before eating and do not eat fruit that has already been peeled or cut open.

For more preventive measures against cholera, members of the public may visit CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk/).