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HEALTH
Influenza occurred only sporadically after the appearance of the epidemic in the summer of 1968. Hong Kong has been collaborating with the World Health Organisation in its surveillance programme of influenza disease, and epidemiological and laboratory information is transmitted overseas so that early preventive measures may be taken to meet the threat of new epidemics. During the year some strains of influenza B virus were isolated. They resembled the B variant prevalent in recent years.
Other communicable diseases remain at a low level, and do not constitute a major public health problem. The number of cases of infectious diseases notified in 1969 is shown in Appendix XXXI.
PORT HEALTH SERVICE
The Port Health Service is responsible for the prevention of the introduction of quarantinable diseases, the sanitary control of ports of entry and the provision of facilities as required by the International Sanitary Regulations, with the aim of ensuring the maximum security against the international spread of diseases with the minimum inter- ference with world traffic. A regular exchange of epidemiological intelligence is maintained with the International Quarantine Service of the World Health Organisation in Geneva, the World Health Organisation Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila and several neighbouring health administrations.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
There is increasing public understanding of the value of Hong Kong's maternal and child health facilities. Most babies are born either in hospital maternity wards or in maternity homes, and confinements at home attended by private midwives now represent less than one per cent of the total deliveries. The Government District Midwifery Service has 29 centres, and the total number of maternity beds available for deliveries in these health centres is 523. There are 110 registered midwives practising privately in 68 maternity and nursing homes, which are regularly inspected by the Supervisor of Midwives and her staff.
The Government Maternal and Child Health Service offers free maternal and child care at 29 centres, 17 of which are full-time. Clinics are held for infants and for children between two and five
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