Non-compliance with personal hygiene by cooks, food handlers and the public is the main cause of the recent cholera outbreak in Terengganu, Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said yesterday.

"We took a number of samples from cholera-contaminated food premises, ice manufacturing factories, factories that produce keropok lekor and wet markets. We found that the drinking water at these outlets was not contaminated, showing that the spread was from the people infected with the disease. … We need public cooperation, especially from those who prepare and handle food. They must adhere to personal hygiene."

The disease broke out in October and affected 188 people. One of them died.