Cholera epidemic feared

Press, 2 September 1989, Page 12

Cholera epidemic feared

NZPA-Reuter Hong Kong Six Vietnamese boat people were confirmed as having cholera and another 15 were under observation in hospital yesterday, triggering fears of an epidemic in Hong Kong’s often squalid camps. Three new cases were confirmed on Thursday, adding to three diagnosed on Wednesday. A Government spokesman said 15 people suspected of having contracted the disease were under observation in hospital. “They have to take this very seriously,” said a doctor, who declined to be identified. “Given the conditions, they have to move fast or this will become a tragedy. Obviously you have to worry about an epidemic. “However, I think there is little danger of it spreading amongst the community in Hong Kong itself,” said the doctor. Government sources said tests on drinking water tanks at Tai A Chau,

the isolated island where over 4500 Vietnamese are living in what relief workers describe as conditions of considerable squalor, have so far proved negative. Government doctors say they suspect the outbreak was caused by boat people eating shellfish collected from a beach used as an outdoor lavatory. *

The outbreak of cholera followed a riot on the island earlier this week when 50 police guarding the boat people fled for their lives after failing to disperse hundreds of stone-throwing Vietnamese with tear-gas. Heavily armed police regained control the next day in an air and seaborne assault that met no resistance.

A group of some 1000 Vietnamese, mainly from the southern part of the country, were evacuated to nearby Shek Kwu Chau island after fighting with northerners. One of the latest cholera victims,

a girl, aged three, was among that group, and government medical teams were working to inoculate Vietnamese on both islands, as well as spraying living areas on Tai A Chau with disinfectant.

New temporary water tanks were flown in by helicopter to Tai A Chau on Thursday, and fresh food and water were being ferried out daily by British Army landing craft, Government officials said. “We have teams out on the islands, inoculating people and giving advice on basic hygiene. Obviously we are keeping a close watch,” a Government official said. A Vietnamese man, aged 26, is due to appear in court next week on rape charges stemming from the riot.

Refugee workers said a large number of Vietnamese went on the rampage after the police fled Tai A Chau, and the police are holding 11 boat people on robbery and assault charges.