A seafood wholesale stall in Lau Fau Shan has been closed by the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department after Vibrio cholerae was found in its fish tank.

Department officers shut down the Hoi Bin Street stall today to conduct thorough disinfection and cleaning. It will remain closed until disinfection is completed to the satisfaction of the department.

Vibrio cholerae can be killed by thorough cooking. To prevent cholera, people should:

* soak shellfish in clean water after washing and scrubbing the shells;

* clean seafood, remove internal organs and cook thoroughly before consumption;

* raw and cooked food must be handled with separate utensils to avoid cross-contamination; and,

* raw and cooked food should be stored separately, with cooked food placed on a refrigerator's upper shelves.

People should be vigilant on personal and food hygiene, and extra cautious in consuming seafood and ready-to-eat food, particularly during summer.

The department has issued guidelines for the trade advising against using seawater drawn from the seafront within the harbour or typhoon shelters to keep seafood.