Press Release

Update on Cholera

August 9, 2000

The Department of Health (DH) today (August 9) reminded members of the public to be on guard against cholera following the confirmation of a cholera case in Hong Kong.

The patient is a seven-month-old girl living in Yuen Long. She had not travelled outside Hong Kong during the incubation period and the case is classified as a local one.

The baby who was transferred from Tuen Mun Hospital to Princess Margaret Hospital yesterday (August 8), is in stable condition.

Her two-year-old sister and a one-year-old boy living with the family also developed diarrhoea. They were also admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital and both are in stable condition.

Staff of DH and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department had jointly visited their home where disinfection work was carried out. Health education was given to the home contacts who were asymptomatic.

Investigations into the case are continuing.

A spokesman for DH said: "The best way to prevent the spread of cholera is to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times."

Members of the public are reminded to:

• Wash hands before preparing food and after going to toilets;
• When caring for children, wash hands after changing diapers, change and wash soiled linens properly, keep toys clean and disinfect feeding bottles;
• Keep the environment clean;
• Clean food thoroughly and ensure they are adequately cooked before consumption; and
• Store food in refrigerator (at 4 degrees Celsius or below) and adequately reheat leftover before consumption.

Today's local cholera case is the third case reported in Hong Kong this (2000) year. The first local case was reported last month (July) and the first imported case in May.