Press Release

Health advice as first cholera case reported

May 8, 2001

The Department of Health (DH) today (May 8) called on members of the public to be on guard against cholera following the confirmation of the first cholera case in Hong Kong this (2001) year.

The case involved a 60-year-old man living in Mongkok. He had travelled to Southeast Asia with a 23-member tour group during the incubation period and the case was classified as an imported one.

On his return to Hong Kong on May 1, the man developed watery diarrhoea. He was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital on May 6 and was transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital the following day. He is now in stable condition.

Health education was given. Disinfection work was carried out by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department at the patient's home.

The tour group visited Southeast Asia between April 26 and May 1. DH had contacted 17 tour group members. Twelve of them had diarrhoea and had recovered except one who is in stable condition in hospital. Investigations are continuing.

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 spokesman advised the public to take the following measures when travelling outside Hong Kong:

• Always wash hands before eating and after going to toilets;
• Eat only thoroughly cooked food and food fresh from sealed packs or cans;
• Do not eat cold dish such as salad and ice-cream;
• Drink only boiled water, canned or bottled drinks, pasteurised milk or dairy products;
• Do not add ice in drinks and do not drink fresh fruit juice prepared beforehand;
• Do not patronised illegal food hawkers; and
• Do not eat fruits that have been peeled and fruits and vegetables that are not thoroughly cleansed.

Last (2000) year, 12 confirmed cholera cases were reported in Hong Kong. Of these, four were imported, seven were local and one was undetermined.