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Health
professional knowledge and experience in combating diseases are shared with other health authorities and agencies in the Mainland, in Macao and the WHO.
Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases
Under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance, there are 48 statutory notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong. In 2013, about 20,000 cases were reported, of which about 11,000 and 4,854 were diagnosed as chickenpox and tuberculosis respectively.
In December 2013, Hong Kong confirmed its first human case of avian influenza A(H7N9), which upon investigation was considered to be a sporadic imported case. The government activated the 'Serious Response Level' under the Preparedness Plan for Influenza Pandemic and implemented a comprehensive range of response measures.
The CHP continually reviews and updates its strategies for coping with major outbreaks of infectious diseases, ensuring that both the government and the community are prepared to deal with them. A plan for mobilising volunteers in the event of an outbreak is also in place. The CHP organises drills from time to time to test Hong Kong's preparedness.
Vaccination Programmes
Children in Hong Kong are protected against communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella and pneumococcus under a 'Childhood Immunisation Programme!
The 'Government Vaccination Programme, provides eligible persons in target groups with free seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations each year at public hospitals and clinics. In addition, under two 'Vaccination Subsidy Schemes, children aged between six months and less than six years and elderly people aged 65 or above can receive subsidised seasonal influenza vaccinations at private clinics. A susidised pneumococcal vaccination at private clinics is also available for elderly people who have not previously received one. Over 1,600 private doctors participate in the 'Vaccination Subsidy Schemes.
In December 2013, the government launched a six-month 'Childhood Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine 13 Booster Vaccination Programme' to provide eligible children with one booster dose of the vaccine free of charge or with subsidy.
These various vaccination programmes help protect high risk groups against infection and related complications, hospitalisation and mortality.
Non-communicable Diseases
The biggest killers in Hong Kong are cancer, heart and cerebrovascular diseases, which together accounted for about 52 per cent of all registered deaths in 2013. Elderly people are the major victims of these chronic non-communicable diseases.
A Cancer Co-ordinating Committee chaired by the Secretary for Food and Health makes recommendations for the prevention and control of cancer, which claimed more than 13,500
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