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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a confirmed case of cholera today (December 20) and reminded people to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene, whether in Hong Kong or travelling abroad.
The case involved an 11-year-old boy who developed diarrhoea on December 9. Laboratory results showed that his stool specimen was positive for Vibrio cholerae Ogawa.
He is now being isolated in Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment and in stable condition.
Earlier, the boy¡¦s mother was also confirmed to have infected with cholera. She had been under isolation treatment in Princess Margaret Hospital and has been discharged yesterday. (Press release has been issued on December 17.)
CHP's investigation revealed that the boy had travelled to India from November 27 to December 8 with his family. Further investigation is ongoing.
This is the seventh case of cholera reported this year. There were three cholera cases in 2007, one in 2006, five in 2005, five in 2004 and seven in 2003.
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."
Members of the public are urged to:
* Wash and cook seafood thoroughly before eating, particularly crustaceans and bivalves such as shrimp, crab, 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 refrigerator (at 4 degrees Celsius or below) and thoroughly reheat leftover food before eating;
* 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, 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, please visit CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk/).
Ends/Saturday, December 20, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:07
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