III Communicable Diseases
A total of 4 cases of cholera were reported in 1987, including two among Vietnamese refugees and one imported case. Close surveillance on the disease, intensified health education and environmental measures were maintained.
There was no report of other quarantinable diseases. No case of common childhood diseases like diphtheria, whooping cough and poliomyelitis was reported.
Four cases of animal rabies were reported in the New Territories, but there was mo case of rabies in humans.
During the year, 106 cases of malaria were notified, most of them imported cases, with the most frequent source of infection from China, Vietnam and India. Six indigenous cases were identified and they occurred mainly in the border and Sai Kung area.
Malaria control in the territory is concentrated on early case detection and notification, vector control and health education.
All notified malaria cases are thoroughly investigated and fallowed up by regional health staff. This active surveillance programme is undertaken to minimize the possibility of a build-up of parasite density in the local community and to ensure that all practicable prevention and treatment programmes are being instituted effectively. The establishment of the Central Reference Laboratory for Malaria also ensures the accurate diagnosis of malaria.
In addition, health education and publicity are maintained to remind the general public to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and to urge picnickers and international travellers to protect themselves against mosquito bites.
six cases of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) were reported during the year, bringing the total number of AIDS cases on record to mine, of whom eight had died,
As there is no effective cure for AIDS and no vaccine available, the Medical & Health Department has put the emphasis of prevention on education and publicity.
To strengthen and intensify such efforts started in 1983, the Committee on Education and Publicity on AIDS was established in January 1987. It works closely with the Expert Committee on AIDS and serves to co- ordinate all related efforts in education and publicity of the subject.
A large scale AIDE publicity campaign was launched in phases starting in April with press release, media publicity, distribution of leaflets, exhibitions, and advertisements on the MTR, newspaper and cinemas. In addition, seminars and health talks were organised for specific groups. including teachers, social workers and youths. Earlier in the year, workshops were also organised for doctors. Surveys carried out later
indicated that there was increased public awareness of AIDS,
In April, the AIDS Counselling and Consultative Service, which provides assistance to people at risk of developing AIDS, was expanded with the addition of more telephone lines and an extension of hours.
The Surveillance Programme for infection by the AIDS virus, begun in April 1985, continued under the monitor of the Expert Committee on AIDS. Up to December 1987, a total of 106 individuals were found to be infected with the virus.
Blood screening for antibodies to the AIDS virus, introduced by the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service in August 1985, was maintained to prevent the possible transmission of the disease through blood transfusion.
Both viral hepatitis A and hepatitis B remained prevalent in the community with 1 554 notified cases and 23 deaths reported during the year. Because of the public health implications of hepatitis B, especially the long-term liver complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, the Hepatitis B Vaccination Programme was introducted since 1983 as a prevention against the disease.
Based on the recommendation of the World Health Organisation, the present strategy is to provide immunization against hepatitis B to çertain high-risk groups in the community. The first group comprises babies born to mothers who are carriers of the disease. The second group comprises health care workers who are in frequent contact with blood and blood products or tissue fluids.
Primary
Immunisation programes against common childhood diseases are carried out in schools as well as Maternal & Child Health Centres. 1 & 6 children receive booster vaccination for protection against diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis. In addition, girls in primary 6 are given rubella vaccination. The coverage was up to 98.3%.
To increase the protection of the at-risk group, namely women at child-bearing age, rubella vaccination has been made available to nurses,
The teachers, social workers and other female staff in the Government, vaccination is also given to eligible women attending the Maternal & Child Health Centres.
The Medical and Realth Department continued to administer a combined neo-natal screening programme for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and congenital hypothyroidism to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of infants who may otherwise develop disabilities or mental retardation. The programme now covers all babies born in government, subvented and private hospitals, Based on the results of the screening programme so far, the prevalence of G-G-PD deficiency in local male babies is 4.5 per cent whereas the frequency of congenital hypothyroidism disorder is one in 3 200 live births. Prompt follow-up and remedial measures are instituted so that the development of permanent disabilities in these children is avoided.
Gastrointestinal diseases are endemic in the territory and small outbreaks occur from time to time. There were 378 outbreaks of food
poisoning involving 1 566 persons, Organisms responsible for these outbreaks include salmonella, E. Coli, Staphylococcus and Vibrio parahemolyticus. In addition, 121 persons were affected by an insecticide, identified as methamidophos, found to be present in incriminated vegetables imported across the border. There were also 273 cases of enteric fever, and 381 cases of bacterial dysentery. Active case finding, contact tracing, health education on food and personal hygiene by the regional health staff and the co-ordination of other control measures helped to limit the spread of these diseases in the community.
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