Press Release

Health advice as cholera case reported

June 29, 2001

The Department of Health (DH) today (June 29) reminded members of the public to be on guard against cholera following the confirmation of a cholera case in Hong Kong.

A spokesman for DH said: "We should always be vigilant because cholera is endemic in Hong Kong."

"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 39-year-old woman from Sha Tin District. She had developed diarrhoea and was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on June 27. She is now in stable condition.

She had not travelled outside Hong Kong during the incubation period and the case was classified as a local one.

Health education had been given to the family members who were asymptomatic. Disinfection was carried out at the patient's home by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD).

DH and FEHD are investigating the case.

The best way to protect against cholera is to observe the following hygiene measures :

• Clean food thoroughly and ensure they are adequately cooked before consumption;
  
• Wash hands before eating and after going to toilets;
  
• Raw and cooked food should be handled with separate utensils;
  
• Keep raw and cooked food separately;
  
• Store food in refrigerator (at 4 degrees celcius or below) and adequately reheat leftover food before consumption; and
  
• Keep the environment clean.

Regarding the confirmed cholera case involving a 52-year-old man living in Yau Tsim Mong District, DH and FEHD are continuing with the investigations. The case has not yet been classified. He is in hospital in stable condition.

To-date nine confirmed cholera cases were reported in Hong Kong this (2001) year. Of these, seven were local cases, one imported and one is awaiting to be classified.