had been mel, all available inoculators were concentrated in the Peninsula. At the end of March, 1960, it was estimated that at least 50% of children in the 0-9 age group had received full protection against diphtheria either in this campaign or in those held in previous years.
97. The numbers of prophylactic immunizations carried out during 1959 are detailed in Appendix 4.
Recent Trends in Infectious Diseases
98. Table 5 shows annual morbidity and mortality rates during the period 1950 - 1959 for the main infectious diseases occurring in Hong Kong.
TABLE 3
MIORUHOITY AND MORTALITY RATES OF CERTAIN
NOTIFIABLE DISEASES
1950/59
(per 100,000 estimated population)
4050
Minrar
JASO
19:52
1953
1957
1950
Tuberculosla
LA. M.R.
1.A.
Ckpbcberia
M.R.
6.
6b
$.4 1.0
404.3 684.8 ASAT $28.9 549.3 5047 4912 5294.0 490,7 144.1 208.1 156.8 130.4 126.3 1.20.1 107.7 103.6 13.
23.1 201 43.9 49.6 48.5
29.3 J4.9
48.0 56.6
5.0
SUBA
76.2
73.0
3.0 3.1
4.9
4. L
I..
Boteric Dever
M.R.
7.1 6.7
$0.9 54.7 7.0
63.7
44.3
31.4
32.3
29.2 20.7
34.9
5.7
1.
2.5
2.0
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.A.
7.8
Amoeblasin
7,7 $1.4
12.7
10.4
9.0 7.5
6,4
95
3.4
M.R.
That DVA 0.3 03
D.3
0.3
0.2
0.3
9/4
0.5
Bacillary dysENDECY
T.R.
114 18.6 149
29.4
23.5 32.4
20.0 21.3
15.4 23.2
M-X.
0.7 1,4 小啡
1.G
1.A
0.2
0.3
09
0.9
I.R.
다
Malmin
M.R.
LA
Acute poliomyelinas
M.R.
Measles
1.3. M.R.
17.6 $0.0 40.0
1.7 2.0
0.7 1.4 0.6 1.0 2.1 0,3 0.1 0.2 D. 0.4 1 0.1 20.0 26.2 30.0 29.4 36.2 23.3 29.1
2.3 1.9 1.4 2.2 3.5 3.8 3.5 3.6
37.7 184
13.5
24.0
15.5
2.0 0.7 0.4 0.2
0.044
1.1
1.7
4.5 3.0
0.9
t
0.7
30.9
20.4
206.0
7.0
6.2
نما
+1
L.A. = Incidence Rate-afculpted from novihertions received. M.B. - Mortality Rate.
20.3
99. In general. there is a sharp increase in incidence of these diseases during the years 1951/53, followed by a decline during the next two or three years, in the last three years of the decade, there has been a levelling-off or rise in the general morbidity. The general mortality trend is downwards, after a sharp rise during 1951/52, although there are exceptions, namely amoebiasis, poliomyelitis, and measles. The pattern thus presented must be considered against the background of influx of people, followed by expansion of all public services and a high birth rate giving a rapid increase in the number of susceptibles.
받고
great
100. Consideration of the individual diseases reveals the following points:
(a) Tuberculosis
The incidence of this disease would appear to be gradually subsiding after the peak of 1951. The mortality rate, however, has declined markedly, and in 1959 was only 37% of that recorded in 1951.
(b) Diphtheria
This showed a rapid increase during the early years of the decade reaching a peak in 1953. The first organized anti-diphtheria campaign started in 1952, using alum-precipitated toxoid supplied by UNICEF. The ensueing campaigns of 1953 and 1954 resulted in a raising of the level of immunity to produce a marked decline in the incidence of the disease during the next two years. Since 1955 a combination of rapidly- rising population under 5 years of age plus increasing public apathy have resulted in a great increase in morbidity, although mortality has by no means been so greatly affected. In fact, the case fatality rate for diphtheria during 1959 was the lowest on record.
(c) Enteric Fever
Gradual improvements in sanitation and environmental hygiene have resulted in a markedly lower incidence of this disease. However, the elimination of annual fluctuations and the production of a further marked decrease in the morbidity rate is to a great extent dependent on the provision of an adequate water supply. The introduction of the use of Chloramphenicol is reflected in the rapidly-decreasing mortality from this disease.
(d) The Dysenteries
Both amoebiasis and bacillary dysentery have remained comparatively steady and reflect the need for a rise in the standards of individual personal hygiene.
(e) Malaria
This discase has declined markedly and only two deaths from it have heen reported during the last three years.
(f) Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis has in general remained sporadic except in 1958 when there was a marked rise in incidence during the summer months. The mortality rate is. however, rising and, in view of the increasing popula- tion of young children and the gradual spread of water-borne sewerage,
23