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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 7) confirmed an imported case of cholera and reminded people to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene, whether in Hong Kong or travelling abroad.
The case involved a 56-year-old man who developed diarrhoea and vomiting on August 1. He sought medical consultation at Princess Margaret Hospital on August 3 and was discharged the same day.
Laboratory tests today showed that culture of his stool specimen yielded Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa. He was admitted to the isolation ward of Princess Margaret Hospital on August 6 and is now in stable condition.
The CHP's investigation revealed that the patient had travelled to Dhaka, Bangladesh, between July 24 and August 3 with nine persons. Two of them developed diarrhoea and vomiting since August 3 and 4. Further tests will be conducted. The patient lives in Tseung Kwan O and his home contacts have no symptoms of cholera.
This is the second case of cholera reported this year. There were two cholera cases in 2011, nine cases in 2010 and none in 2009.
A CHP spokesman said, "Whether in Hong Kong or travelling abroad, people should pay attention to hygiene and take measures to prevent cholera and food-borne infection."
People are urged to:
* Wash and cook seafood thoroughly before eating, particularly crustaceans and bivalves such as shrimps, crabs, oysters and clams;
* Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet;
* Handle raw and cooked food with separate utensils to prevent cross-contamination;
* Keep raw and cooked food separately;
* Store food in a refrigerator (at 4 degrees Celsius or below) and thoroughly reheat leftover food before eating; and
* Keep the environment clean.
When travelling outside Hong Kong, they should:
* Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet;
* Eat only thoroughly cooked food and food from sealed packs or cans;
* Avoid cold dishes such as salad and ice cream;
* Drink only boiled water, canned or bottled drinks, and pasteurised milk or dairy products;
* Do not add ice to drinks and do not drink fresh fruit juice that has been prepared beforehand;
* Do not patronise illegal food hawkers; and
* Wash fruit thoroughly before eating and do not eat fruit that has already been peeled or cut open.
For more preventive measures against cholera, people may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:29
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