Press Release

Cholera Update

September 10, 2001

The Department of Health today (September 10) reminded members of the public to be on guard against cholera following the confirmation of three cholera cases.

A spokesman for DH said: "Equipped with effective surveillance programme for communicable diseases, adequate treatment facilities, safe water supply and proper sewage disposal system, members of the public can rest assured that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is able to prevent local spread of communicable diseases including cholera."

"So far, there has been no sign of local spread. However, we should remain vigilant because cholera is an endemic disease."

"The best way to prevent contracting cholera and other food-borne diseases is to observe good food, personal and environmental hygiene at all times."

The spokesman said two cholera cases were imported ones, involving a 28-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy. They were part of a 31-member tour group to Southeast Asia between August 30 and September 2 this year.

The third case involved a 54-year-old woman living in Southern District. The patient was suspected to have contracted the disease through consumption of raw seafood. She is now in stable condition in Princess Margaret Hospital.

The woman suffered from diarrhoea on September 3. She had not traveled outside Hong Kong during the incubation period and the case was classified as a local one.

The patients' homes had been disinfected by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). Joint investigation by DH and FEHD is continuing.

The spokesman said that members of the public should:

• Clean food, especially seafood, 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 four degrees celcius or below) and adequately reheat leftover food before consumption; and
• Keep the environment clean.

Members of the public should 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 26 confirmed cholera cases were reported in Hong Kong this (2001) year. Of these, four were an imported case, 21 were local cases and one was unclassified.

There were 71, 18 and 12 cholera cases reported in Hong Kong in 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively.