XN000022-1972-05-18 — Page 6

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Thursday, May 18, 1972

PREVENTION OF ENTERIC DISEASES CAMPAIGN

Cholera Can Kill Infected In A Few Hours

Hong Kong has been free from cholera for about four years but

an outbreak is always possible as this disease is constantly present in

some South-east Asian countries.

A spokesman of the Urban Services Department said this today in

connection with the current Prevention of Enteric Diseases Campaign.

Cholera is an acute and dangerous infectious disease which can kill

a patient in a few hours.

cholera.

Sudden severe vomiting and diarrhoea are the main symptoms of

The stool is watery, pale yellow or whitish in colour and so is

the vomitus. The diarrhoea of cholera is not accompanied by severe abdominal

pain, and nausea is always absent. If prompt medical treatment is not given, a

patient may die in a matter of hours due to rapid loss of body fluid,

Cholera is caused by cholera germs the cholera vibrios which are

passed out with the stool and vomitus of the patient. Food, stored water

and well water may be infected with the vibrios through dirty hands, flies

and poor sanitation. Man is infected by taking contaminated food and drinks.

Inoculation against cholera is available. To prevent cholera,

good sanitation and food hygiene are essential.

/Members