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When 129 people were infected – and 15 people died – from a cholera outbreak in Hong Kong

In 1961, 2 suspected cholera cases led to an extensive vaccination campaign and the confiscation of produce in Hong Kong’s markets

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A girl receives an anti-cholera injection at a government clinic in Hong Kong, in 1961. Photo: SCMP Archives
Dave Besseling
“Long queues lined up at the Government health centres to receive anti-cholera inoculations yesterday when two suspected cases of cholera – a 12-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl – were reported,” the South China Morning Post stated on August 17, 1961. “A Government spokesman said bacteriological tests for the two cases – which were classified as gastroenteritis – were being carried out and should be completed by this morning.”
Two children were reported dead due to suspected cases of cholera, according to archival newspaper footage from 1961. Photo: SCMP Archives
Two children were reported dead due to suspected cases of cholera, according to archival newspaper footage from 1961. Photo: SCMP Archives

“The boy was brought in dead to the Kowloon Public Mortuary from a junk at Cheung Sha Wan. The girl, who came from the western seaboard of the New Territories, was admitted to hospital.”

“In a statement yesterday, Dr the Hon. D.J.M. Mackenzie, director of medical health services, repeated his advice given on Tuesday – ‘do not be anxious but do be careful.’”

On August 18, the Post reported that “mobile teams of health inspectors, with police officers, have started visiting street markets in Hong Kong and Kowloon to inspect cut fruit and similar dangerous foods. Warnings were issued to sellers, but from today, any offending stocks will be confiscated.”

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