Press Release

Additional confirmed case of cholera under CHP investigation

11 October 2013

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 11) investigating an additional confirmed case of cholera, and reminds people to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene, whether in Hong Kong or travelling abroad.

The case involves a 32-year-old man who has developed diarrhoea since October 7. He was admitted to the isolation ward at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) for further management on October 9. He is now in a stable condition.

During laboratory tests today a culture of his stool specimen yielded Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa.

The CHP investigation revealed that the patient is the son of the first confirmed case reported on October 9. He has no recent travel history.

Regarding the first confirmed case, a CHP spokesman said that the 54-year-old female patient is still hospitalised in PMH. Her current condition remains stable.

This is the second case of cholera reported this year. There were two imported cholera cases in 2012 as well as one imported and one local case in 2011.

The spokesman said, "Whether in Hong Kong or travelling abroad, people should pay attention to hygiene and take measures to prevent cholera and food-borne infection."

People are urged to:

• Wash and cook seafood thoroughly before eating, particularly crustaceans and bivalves such as shrimps, crabs, 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 a refrigerator (at 4 degrees Celsius or below) and thoroughly reheat leftover food before eating; and
• 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, and 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, people may visit the CHP's website ( www.chp.gov.hk ).