Amoebiasis
97.
A total of 262 cases was recorded as against 217 in the previous year: children under 10 years of age accounted for 100 cases or 38.2%. There were 12 deaths from this cause, giving a case fatality rate of 4.6% The corresponding figures for 1957 were 8 deaths and 3.7% respectively, During the course of routine investigation of case contacts, 3 carriers were discovered and treatment was arranged by Health Officers. Bacillary Dysentery
98. Cases reported during the year totalled 424, as compared with 550 in 1957. Deaths totalled 25, giving a case fatality rate of 5.9%. Corresponding figures for 1957 were 9 deaths and 1.6% respectively. The incidence amongst children under 10 years of age remained high, accounting for 192 cases or 43.3% of the total, Corresponding figures for 1957 were 235 cases and 42.7%.
99. Sixty-eight carriers were discovered amongst case contacts. These received treatment and were kept under supervision until 3 consecutive stool specimens proved negative,
Enteric Fever
100. It is interesting to note that the high incidence peak formerly experienced during the summer months has been absent continuously since 1954. The seasonal variation during this year was not marked and the number of cases was fairly evenly distributed throughout the four quarters of the year. There was a total of 816 notifications (2 non- Chinese) which included 33 cases of para-typhoid, as compared with 728 notifications (4 non-Chinese), and 26 cases of para-typhoid during 1957. Deaths attributed to this infection numbered 34 giving a case fatality rate of 4,2% which is the lowest on record. Incidence in the 5-9 and 10-14 age groups remained high being 189 or 23,2% and 193 or 23.7% of the total as against 207 or 28.4% and 143 or 19.6% respectively in the preceding year,
101. As in past years, free T.A.B. inoculation was available to members of the public throughout the year and a special campaign was carried out during the three months April to June inclusive. A total of 73,077 first doses, 38.030 second doses and 77,873 booster doses were given during the campaign. Total figures for the year were: first doses, 103,381; second doses, 70,833; booster doses, 95,044.
102. Other preventive and control measures included education of the public in personal and general hygiene, the supervision of eating
20
houses and restaurants and the exclusion of carriers from food-handling occupations.
Chickenpox
103. There were 278 cases notified during the year as compared with 280 cases in 1957. More than 75% of the cases were recorded during the first four months of the year.
Diphtheria
104. There were 1,555 cases of diphtheria notified, representing an increase of 316 or 25.5% over last year's record figures. Most of the cases were recorded in the first (576) and last (598) quarters of the year. that is, during the cold season. Deaths attributed to this infection numbered 134, giving a case fatality rate of 8.6%. Corresponding bgures for 1957 were 129 deaths and 10.4%.
105. Tocidences in the various age groups were as follows:
796 (51.2% of the total) 441 (28.4% 318 (20.4%
Age 0 4
19
**
приват
ง
++
1
}
10 or over 106. Of the total of 1,555 cases, 513 or 33.0% occurred on Hong Kong Island, 820 or 52.7% in the urban areas of Kowloon and the remainder in the New Territories or amongst the floating population.
107. The predominant strain recovered in the laboratory continues to be C. diphtheriae mitis; of 565 cases typed in the Government Institute of Pathology during 1958, the mitis strain was recovered from 550, two cases rendered an intermedius strain and 13 a gravis strain.
108. Particular attention was paid to strains recovered from the numerous "bull nock" cases seen and they proved to be invariably milis. These cases are believed to be due mainly to treatment with herbal powders which are blown into the fauces for the treatment of sore throat and which cause an irritant effect leading to a superficial ulceration which becomes secondarily infected. Such cases also tend to be admitted later than others-usually on the fifth to seventh days or even later.
109. Prophylactic immunization against diphtheria is available free to the public throughout the year and a special campaign is instituted each year before the onset of the winter season. It is disappointing to note, however, that the response from the public was far from satis- factory. A total of 109,336 first doses was given, together with 90,396 second doses and 42,330 booster doses, all these figures being consider-
21