The total number of live births in the year was 85,406,
a crude birth rate of 17.0 per thousand population compared to 16.8 per thousand in 1979. In the same year the infant mortality rate was 11.8 per thousand live births against 13.3 in 1979. The major osUses of infant deathe recorded were anaria, hyperia and birth asphyxia (34%), congenital abnormalities (25%), pneumonia (11%) and immaturity (5.0%). Obstetric complications and birth trauma caly responsible for leaz than 0.3% of the deaths.
Maternity mortality rate was 0.05 per thousand total birthe as compared with 0.08 in 1979. of the four maternal deaths reported three were due to toxaemia of pregnancy and one case of postpartum haemorrhage.
III Communicable disesses
Because of stringent health measures, Hong Kong has been free from quarantinable diseases for many years and 1980 was no exception, However, rabies which had disappeared for 25 years struck the colony in October 1980 claiming two human lives and killing eleven dogs. The Agriculture and Fisheries Department took ayift measurea by stepping up stray dog patrols, setting up innoculation centres for dogs and prohibiting the free movement of dogs into and out of the infected area in the northern part of the New Territori es, In the early part of 1981 the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Director of Medical & Health Services visited the Health Authorities in Guangdong to discuss effective measures in controlling the spread
of the disease around the border area,
A medical advisory committen on rabies was set up consisting of professional staff from both the University and the Department. Five special centres for the pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure treatment of the disease were established to cope with the situation.
Many gastroenteritia diseases are still endemic in the region and they occur from time to time in minor outbreaks, e.g. amoebic dysentery, bacillary dysenteries and typhoid fever which claimed 13 lives in 1980. There were 102 outbreaks of acute food poisoning involving some 754 people. The common organists responsible for these outbreaks included salmonella, E. coli, staphylococcus aureus and viboparehaemolyticus, Active case finding and contact tracing were carried out by the regional health staff. Their efforts have helped in limiting the spread of the disease within the community, but in many cases the primary sources of the infections could not be identified with precision and therefore total irradication was not possible.
The number of viral hepatitio cages notified in the year totalled 1,554 cases with 38 deaths compared with 964 cases in 1979. Seroepidemiological surveys confirmed that Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are endemic in Hong Kong with a high prevalence of carriage of Hepatitis B surface antigen (Ebság).
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/The year 1980
The year 1980 waw poliomyelitis, which has been non-existant for some 6 years, rearing ita ugly head again in Hong Kong with two confirmed casus recorded. Two children developed the paralytic disease at the age of one and two, Both children had not completed the anti- poli oi maini xation schedule available in the NCH clinics. The reappearance of the disease kertas as a reminder that the virulent pali oviruses are still amongst our community and that the maintenance of a high level of personal immunity is still required.
During the year, a total of 82,525 doses of Type I vaccine and 147,786 doses of trivalent vaccine were given covering over some 91% and 89% respectively of the local young population under the age of me
Chickenpox and measles are endemic in Hong Kong. Ia 1980, 1,669 cases of measles were notified with 5 reported deaths. Since the introduction of the measles vaccination in 1967, the incidence of the disease has reduced dramatically. The previous biennial epidemio cycle had been replaced by a new three-yearly oyole of comparatively lower magnitude. Heasles vaccination campaign continues throughout the year to cover children from the age of one onward. A total of 59,023 doses of vaccine were given covering less than 50% of the target population» This is not entirely satisfactory as it is not adequate for preventing future outbreaks.
Rubella continued to occur in a sporadic fashion, with alight inorease in incidence during the first five mantha of the year. A registry for congenital rubella was set up in the department and a total of 24 cases were recorded including four new cases in 1980.
Three types of influenza virus already prevalent in Hong Kong : A(H1 N1), A(83 N2) and B were responsible for neveral outbreaks of sporadic cases, but a small influenza wave was observed between Hay and July when infection with all three virus types occurred concurrently.
A total of 29 cases of meningococcal meningitis was notified with three deaths. Follow-up activities revealed another 26 positive nas opharyngeal carriera amongst the contacts. The majority of these cases and contacta were residents in the Refugee Camps.
There has been an increase in the number of malaria cases in 1980. Mout of the 49 cases were thoroughly investigated and found to be imported cases involving foreign visitors, tourists and refugees from the nearby Southeast Asia countries. The Medical & Health Department together with the New Territories Services Department have stepped up anti-malarial measures for controlling the vector and the disease m
Outbreaks of pediculosis infestations were reported amonget some urban and rural schools. Regional health staff initiated a Buccession af sorsaning and treatment programme on request and over 3,000 children were treated. Health educational activities were directed towards emphasizing on the importance of maintaining an adequate standard of personal hygiene,
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/IV