9 confirmed with cholera

Nine cases of cholera have been confirmed in central China's Hubei Province, health authorities said yesterday.

Nine people were diagnosed with the infectious disease after attending a wedding banquet at a hotel restaurant in the city of Huangshi on October 3, according to a statement from the provincial health department.

An investigation showed that a hotel employee who served cold dishes at the banquet was a carrier, spreading the infection to some of the people who ate the dishes, according to the statement.

Restaurants have been to stop serving cold dishes and hospitals asked to monitor patients with diarrhea.

Restaurant employees who have high fevers, diarrhea or infected wounds must stop working and go for a medical check, the statement said.

The city is carrying out food inspections and monitoring water supplies and waste.