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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 12) was investigating a suspected cholera case involving a six-year-old boy and reminded people to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene, whether in Hong Kong or travelling abroad, to prevent cholera after receiving a report of.
The boy developed diarrhea on October 5 and was admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on October 7. He is now in stable condition.
CHP's investigation revealed that he had arrived in Hong Kong from Nepal on October 3 and that his travel companions did not have symptom of cholera.
He lives in Wan Chai and his home contacts have no symptom of cholera.
There are four confirmed cholera cases in 2008, three 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, members of the public 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, members of the public may visit CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/).
Ends/Sunday, October 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:46
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