The Department of Health today confirmed the first case of E. coli O157:H7 infection this year, which involved an 11-month-old boy in Tseung Kwan O.

He had had watery diarrhoea since December 8 and was admitted to Tseung Kwan O Hospital on December 14. He is now in stable condition.

The department has given health advice to his family members, who did not have any symptoms themselves.

Food samples and environmental swabs have been collected and an investigation is in progress.

The public is reminded to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent E. coli infection and other types of gut infections.

It said in general E. coli O157:H7 could be contracted through consumption of undercooked contaminated food or contaminated water, or transmitted from person to person through the faecal-oral route. 

E. coli O157:H7 is a strain of bacteria usually found in the intestines of animals such as cattle. Infection due to the bacteria may be associated with eating undercooked beef - particularly minced beef.

Bacteria easily killed through cooking

The bacteria can be killed at a cooking temperature of around 75 degrees Celsius for two to three minutes.

Cook food thoroughly, the department advises. The core temperature of food should reach 75 degrees Celsius for two to three minutes until all pink is gone from the interior and the juices run clear.

Observe good personal and environmental hygiene to avoid person-to-person transmission of the bacteria through the faecal-oral route.

Wash hands thoroughly, particularly before handling food and after changing babies' diapers.

Hong Kong recorded no E. coli O157:H7 cases in 2002. Three cases were recorded in 2001 and one case in 2000.