7 Jul 2009
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 7) called on travellers to Indonesia to observe good personal hygiene to prevent typhoid fever.
The appeal was made in view of the increased number of cases of typhoid fever involving people coming from Indonesia in recent months.
A CHP spokesman said the number of typhoid cases reported to the CHP in April, May and June of this year were three, eight and 12 respectively.
Four cases had been reported so far this month, he said.
"Investigation revealed that 21 of them had stayed in Indonesia during the incubation period, of which 15 were staying in Surabaya before coming to Hong Kong. All of them required hospitalisation and were in stable condition," the spokesman said.
The spokesman said there was no secondary spread of the disease by these 27 cases.
The spokesman said typhoid fever was endemic in Hong Kong and the number of cases reported in 2006, 2007 and 2008 were 46, 46 and 38 respectively.
A total of 38 cases had been reported so far this year, he said.
"The disease is preventable should people strictly observe good personal and food hygiene,"the spokesman said.
Typhoid fever is caused by the bacteria salmonella typhi and incubation period ranges from 7 to 21 days.
"It is usually transmitted by consuming food and water contaminated by feces or urine of patients or carriers. Onset of the illness is usually marked by fever, tiredness, chills, headache and generalised muscle and joint aches. Diarrhoea may occur,"the spokesman said.
To prevent infection, people should take the following measures:
* Wash hands properly with soap and water before eating or handling food, and after toilet or changing diapers.
* Clean, wash and cook food thoroughly.
* Wash fruits and vegetables before consumption.
* Do not handle cooked food with bare hands; wear gloves if necessary.
* Handle and store raw and cooked food especially seafood separately to avoid cross contamination.
* Purchase fresh food from reliable sources. Do not buy cooked food from illegal hawkers.
* Drinking water should come from the mains and be boiled.