Hong Kong, Imported case of cholera under investigation (December 5 2011)

[Giuseppe]

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Imported case of cholera under investigation


5 December 2011


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 5) investigating 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 36-year-old woman who developed diarrhoea and vomiting since November 26. She sought medical attention in India and in Hong Kong. She was admitted to the isolation ward of Princess Margaret Hospital today and is now in stable condition.

Her stool specimen grew Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa.

The CHP's investigation revealed that the patient had travelled to India between November 14 and 28. Her home contacts have no symptoms of cholera.

This is the second case of cholera reported this year. There were nine cholera cases in 2010, none in 2009 and seven in 2008.

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).

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