HEALTH
typhoon shelter as the source of infection. Prompt and co-ordinated efforts by various departments successfully contained the outbreak. Legislation was introduced by the two municipal councils to regulate the water quality in fish tanks used by restaurants and markets.
Tetanus has been uncommon in Hong Kong since the successful implementation of tetanus immunisation programmes in the 1950s. An outbreak occurred between November 1993 and February 1994, affecting 43 people and resulting in 22 deaths. All were intravenous heroin users. An investigation identified heroin contaminated by tetanus organisms as the common source of infection. The tetanus outbreak was controlled by means of publicity, health education and free immunisation for drug-users.
To protect the population from infectious diseases, children in Hong Kong are immunised against tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, poliomyelitis, tetanus, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella. The vaccine coverage is high. As a result, diphtheria and poliomyelitis have been virtually eradicated.
HIV Infection and AIDS
In 1994, up to November, 97 cases of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection and 19 AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) patients were reported. This represented an increase of 23 per cent and 27 per cent, respectively, when compared with 1993. The cumulative total was 513 cases of HIV infection and 127 AIDS patients.
The Advisory Council on AIDS plays a key role in supervising Hong Kong's overall AIDS programme. A strategy paper entitled Strategies for AIDS Prevention, Care and Control in Hong Kong was prepared by the council to serve as the blueprint for the territory's policy on all AIDS-related issues.
The AIDS Trust Fund, established by the government in 1993, provides financial assistance to those infected with HIV through transfusion of blood or blood products in Hong Kong prior to August 1985. It also supports community projects which provide direct services to those with HIV and AIDS, increase AIDS awareness or remove discrimination against those infected with the virus. So far, about $39.4 million has been disbursed from the fund.
The AIDS Unit of the Department of Health provides counselling and medical consulta- tion for persons infected with HIV or at risk of infection. Members of the public can use a special telephone hotline (2780 2211), which is an interactive voice-processing system, to obtain advice in confidence. Callers may choose to listen to pre-recorded messages in Cantonese and English, obtain fax messages or talk to counsellors. Pre-recorded messages are also available in Putonghua, Thai, Tagalog and Vietnamese.
The participation of non-governmental organisations is crucial in the fight against AIDS. The Hong Kong AIDS Foundation and AIDS Concern provide counselling and education as well as patient support services. The year 1994 also witnessed the development of other community initiatives, including the Hong Kong AIDS Memorial Quilt Project, the AIDS project of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and the establishment of 'Reach Out' which focused on the commercial sex industry. The Department of Health, in collaboration with the Lions Club International District 303 Hong Kong and Macau, also launched a new project, the Community Charter on AIDS, to encourage companies and organisations to adopt a positive and non-discriminatory policy towards people with HIV or AIDS.
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