July 24, 2000
The Department of Health (DH) today (July 24) urged members of the public to be on guard against cholera following the confirmation of a cholera case in Hong Kong.
The patient is a 79-year-old woman living in Eastern District. She had not travelled outside Hong Kong during the incubation period and the case is classified as a local one. It was suspected that she might have contracted the disease through the consumption of bivalves.
She is now receiving treatment in Princess Margaret Hospital and is in stable condition.
Health education was given to her family member who was asymptomatic. Disinfection work was carried out at her home.
A spokesman for DH said: "The best way to prevent the spread of cholera and other food-borne diseases is to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times."
Members of the public are reminded to:
| * | Clean food thoroughly, especially shellfish and seafood, and ensure that they are adequately cooked before consumption; | |
| * | Wash hands before handling food and after going to toilets; | |
| * | Store food in refrigerator and adequately reheat food before consumption; | |
| * | Keep kitchen clean at all times; | |
| * | Cover refuse bin and clean it at least once a day; and | |
| * | Do not purchase food from illegal hawkers. |
Upon notification from DH, staff of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) had inspected the market which was suspected to have been patronised by the patient. Food samples were collected for laboratory testing.
FEHD continues to work closely with DH in the investigation of this cholera case.
To-date, two cholera cases were reported in Hong Kong this (2000) year. The first case was an imported one reported in May.