A 57-year-old man has been confirmed to have cholera, the second imported case this year. He was travelling in Thailand with a tour group during the incubation period.

The Department of Health said today the patient developed diarrhoea on March 28. He will be sent to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment.

The strain was identified as Inaba and the patient is in stable condition.

His family has been screened and found to be asymptomatic. His travel companions are being contacted by the department.

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department has disinfected his home in Eastern District.

Prevention tips

To prevent cholera and other food-borne diseases, people are advised to:

* clean and cook seafood thoroughly before eating, particularly shrimp, crab, oysters and clams;

* wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet;

* handle raw and cooked food with separate utensils to prevent cross-contamination;

* keep raw and cooked food separately;

* store food in the refrigerator (at four degrees Celsius or below) and thoroughly reheat leftover food before eating; and,

* keep the environment clean.