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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has today (December 7) confirmed a local case of cholera involving a 61-year-old woman.
The woman, who lives in Shau Kei Wan, developed watery diarrhoea beginning November 29. She sought medical attention on the same day but the symptoms persisted.
She was admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on December 4 and is now in isolation at Princess Margaret Hospital. She is in a stable condition.
Her stool specimen grew Vibrio cholerae O1 today.
The patient has no recent travel history and her home contacts were asymptomatic. CHP's investigation continues.
This is the ninth case of cholera reported this year. There were seven cholera cases in 2008, three in 2007, one in 2006 and five in 2005.
A CHP spokesman said that whether in Hong Kong or travelling abroad, people should pay attention to hygiene and take measures to prevent cholera and food-borne infection.
The public 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 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:
* 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, members of the public may visit CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:32
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