Press Release

Update on cholera

November 6, 2000

The Department of Health (DH) today (November 6) reminded members of the public to be on guard against cholera following the confirmation of a local cholera case in Hong Kong.

A spokesman for DH said: "The best way to prevent cholera and other food-borne diseases is to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times."

The case involved a 50-year-old woman living in Eastern District on Hong Kong Island. She suffered from diarrhoea on October 31 and was admitted to hospital the following evening (November 1). She is now in stable condition.

She is suspected to have contracted the disease through the consumption of bivalves in Hong Kong.

Health education was given to her family members who were asymptomatic. Disinfection work was carried out at her home.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department had inspected the market stalls patronised by the patient and collected food samples for laboratory testing.

To prevent cholera, members of the public should:

• Clean food, especially bivalves and seafood, thoroughly and ensure they are adequately cooked before consumption;
• Wash hands before preparing food and after going to the toilet;
• Keep the environment clean;
• Keep raw and cooked food separately;
• Store food in refrigerator (at 4 degrees Celsius or below) and adequately re-heat leftover food before consumption; and
• Do not purchase food from illegal hawkers.

Nine confirmed cholera cases were reported in Hong Kong this (2000) year. Of these, four were imported cases and five were local cases.