Hong Kong's Department of Health reminded the public to be on guard against cholera and food-borne infection Wednesday following the confirmation of an imported cholera case.

A 24-year-old woman developed diarrhea in Thailand on Dec. 6. She sought medical treatment twice at Tuen Mun Hospital on Dec. 7 and 8, and was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on Dec. 9. She is now in stable condition.

As she joined a tour to Thailand during the incubation period, the case is classified as imported.

The Department of Health's investigation indicated that her family members and 14 other people in the same travel group screened by the department and found to be asymptomatic. The department is contacting the remaining six tour group members. Her residence in Tuen Mun was disinfected by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD).

So far, a total of seven cholera cases have been reported in Hong Kong. Of the cases, six were local and one was imported.

In a related development, a health team from the Department of Health on Wednesday visited a kindergarten in Lam Tin to carry out investigation and environmental inspection, and to provide health education to the school.

A five-year-old student of the kindergarten was found to have preliminary positive test result for influenza A (H9N2) Tuesday. Gene sequencing Wednesday confirmed that the virus isolated from his nasopharyngeal aspirate was H9N2.

A spokesman for the department said the hygiene of the school was satisfactory. Staff of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) carried out thorough disinfecting in the kindergarten this morning.

"Investigation has also revealed that there was no abnormal sick leave pattern in the kindergarten in recent weeks. "

DH staff visited the home of the five-year-old boy last night and disinfecting was conducted by the FEHD. Three family members have mild cough without fever. Specimens were collected from his family members for examination. Laboratory results will be available in about a week.

The spokesman reiterated that influenza A (H9N2) is very rare, and appears to present as a mild form of disease.

(China Daily December 11, 2003)