Giuseppe
Emeritus
Hong Kong: Two confirmed cholera cases under investigation (8/25/10)
[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, View Original Article.]
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 25) is investigating two confirmed cases of cholera and reminds people to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene, whether in Hong Kong or travelling abroad.
The first case involved a 30-year-old woman who was a travel collateral of a cholera case confirmed on August 21. She came to Hong Kong from Indonesia on August 17 and developed watery diarrhoea and vomiting on August 20.
The second case involved another 30-year-old woman who developed diarrhoea and vomiting on August 22. The patient lives in Tsing Yi and did not have history of recent travel. Her home contact has no symptom of cholera.
The two patients have been admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital. They are now in the isolation ward for treatment and are in stable condition.
Laboratory tests showed that their stool specimens yielded positive result for Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa.
These are the seventh and eighth cases of cholera reported this year. There were seven cholera cases in 2008, three cholera cases in 2007, one in 2006 and five in 2005.
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:
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[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, View Original Article.]
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 25) is investigating two confirmed cases of cholera and reminds people to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene, whether in Hong Kong or travelling abroad.
The first case involved a 30-year-old woman who was a travel collateral of a cholera case confirmed on August 21. She came to Hong Kong from Indonesia on August 17 and developed watery diarrhoea and vomiting on August 20.
The second case involved another 30-year-old woman who developed diarrhoea and vomiting on August 22. The patient lives in Tsing Yi and did not have history of recent travel. Her home contact has no symptom of cholera.
The two patients have been admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital. They are now in the isolation ward for treatment and are in stable condition.
Laboratory tests showed that their stool specimens yielded positive result for Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa.
These are the seventh and eighth cases of cholera reported this year. There were seven cholera cases in 2008, three cholera cases in 2007, one in 2006 and five in 2005.
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 refrigerator (at 4 degrees Celsius or below) and thoroughly reheat leftover food before eating; and
- Keep the environment clean.
- 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.
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