HEALTH
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Typhoid fever incidence remained at about the same level com- pared with last year. Free inoculation is offered and the usual control measures are enforced with special attention to the detec- tion of carriers among food handlers.
Poliomyelitis, which had shown some recrudescence in the early part of the previous year, decreased considerably during 1966, possibly due to a variation in the composition of the trivalent vaccine used, the protective functions of which were further augmented by the commencement of a programme of administration of Type I vaccine soon after birth. The latter procedure commenced in April this year and 81.01 per cent of infants born after 1st April received this one dose. More than half of these children subsequently received two doses of the trivalent vaccine at maternal and child health centres, while a further proportion was protected by these means in the course of Colony-wide campaigns held annually.
Measles is usually most prevalent during the cooler months and outbreaks normally occur in alternate years. After a low incidence during the winter months of 1965-6 the disease increased again early in the second half of 1966. There were 384 deaths recorded during the year, the high case fatality rate among notified cases reflecting the incompleteness of notification. Mortality is mainly due to bronchopneumonia encountered too late for treatment to be effective. Health education efforts are continuing to encourage parents to seek earlier medical advice. Trials of measles vaccine were made during the year, the results of which are still to be assessed.
PORT HEALTH SERVICE
The Port Health Service enforces the International Sanitary Regulations, as embodied in the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance and Prevention of the Spread of Infectious Diseases Regulations 1955. The service provides inoculation and vaccination facilities for travellers, renders medical assistance to ships in the harbour and transmits medical advice by radio to ships at sea. As part of the constant vigilance maintained to prevent the introduction of cholera, strict action was taken against those who attempted to enter Hong Kong from infected areas without a valid international certificate against cholera. A regular exchange of