Press Release

Cholera Update

September 8, 2001

The Department of Health (DH) today (September 8) reminded members of the public travelling outside Hong Kong to take precautionary measures against cholera and other food-borne diseases following the confirmation of an imported 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 44-year-old woman living in Tuen Mun. She travelled to Southeast Asia with a 30-member tour group between August 30 and September 2. She developed diarrhoea on September 1

She was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on September 6 and is now in stable condition.

Her family members were asymptomatic and health education was given. Disinfection work was carried out by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department at the patient's home.

DH has contacted 28 other members of the tour group and nine of them are having diarrhoea. They would be admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for management.

Investigations are continuing.

Members of the public are advised 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 patronise illegal food hawkers; and
• Do not eat fruits that have been peeled and fruits and vegetables that are not thoroughly cleansed.

To-date 20 confirmed cholera cases were reported in Hong Kong this (2001) year. Of these, two were imported cases and 18 were local cases.