Hong Kong, Vibrio cholerae found in fish stall tank water (July 22 2013)

[Giuseppe]

[Source: Government of Hong Kong PRC SAR, full page: (LINK).]


Vibrio cholerae found in fish stall tank water


The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (July 22) ordered the temporary closure of a fish stall for thorough disinfection following detection of Vibrio cholerae in a water sample collected from its fish tank.

The fish stall is located on the first floor at Quarry Bay Market. The water sample was taken from the fish stall on July 16. The test result obtained today confirmed the presence of Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor serotype Ogawa.

To protect public health, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene ordered the immediate closure of the fish stall under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance.

The fish stall will remain closed for thorough cleansing and disinfection of the premises and fish tank until the Director is satisfied with the overall hygiene condition of the premises and that there is no immediate health hazard. Additionally, the FEHD will step up cleaning operations within the market.

A department spokesman said, "Vibrio cholerae cannot survive under high temperature and can be killed by thorough cooking."

To prevent cholera, the spokesman advised people to observe the following guidelines:

• Wash and scrub shellfish thoroughly;
• Clean the seafood and remove the internal organs, and cook thoroughly before consumption;
• Raw and cooked food must be handled with separate sets of utensils to avoid cross-contamination; and
• Raw and cooked food should be stored separately. Cooked food should be placed on the upper shelf of a refrigerator.

"People should also pay attention to personal and food hygiene," he said.


Ends/Monday, July 22, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:12
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