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Monday, May 28, 1973
"In these circumstances," Dr. Choa said, "stored water should be
boiled before drinking. This is not a reflection on the quality of
the water, but relates to storage conditions."
In a reference to personal hygiene, he explained that when
this was seriously taken into account by members of the public, it amounted
to "a protective measure not only against cholera, but also other intestinal
diseases such as typhoid and dysentery."
He emphasised that there had only been 10 cases of cholera in
the last eight years, but with summer now here, it was necessary to draw
attention to the need for protective measures.
"People get cholera by taking in the vibrio carried from the
waste of infectious persons to exposed food and water, and flies aid in
the spread of the disease," he said.
Departmental measures being taken to prevent any outbreak of
cholera in Hong Kong, and to locate carriers of the disease, include the
testing of night soil and samples from all cases of diarrhoea that come
to light.
Cholera vaccinations are available free at all government clinics
and vaccination centres for intending travellers.
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