A case of cholera was confirmed in Hong Kong on Monday, which is the first case of cholera reported this year.

The case involved a 26-year-old woman who developed watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting on March 31. She is now in stable condition at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Laboratory tests showed that her stool specimen yielded positive results for Vibrio cholerae Ogawa.

The Center for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) reminded people to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene, whether in Hong Kong or traveling abroad, to prevent the disease.

CHP's investigation revealed that she had traveled to the Philippines from March 29 to April 2. The CHP is contacting her travel companion and an investigation is on-going.

The patient's family contacts have no symptoms of cholera. As she had a travel history during the incubation period, the case has yet to be classified as a local or imported one. There were three cholera cases in 2007 in Hong Kong, one in 2006, five in 2005, five in 2004 and seven in 2003.

"Whether in Hong Kong or traveling abroad, members of the public should pay attention to hygiene and take measures to prevent cholera and food-borne infection," A CHP spokesman said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2008)