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Tuesday, April 10, 1973
PREVENTION OF IMPORTATION OF SMALLPOX
Surveillance Of Arrivals Without Certificates From Today
People arriving in Hong Kong without a valid smallpox certificate
are being put under medical surveillance.
This means that after being vaccinated at Kai Tak Airport, or their
ship, they are required to report to a health officer every day for 14 days,
or until they leave, if they are not staying for two weeks.
"This measure is intended to prevent the importation of smallpox
into Hong Kong at a time when the disease is causing concern in many parts of
the world," said Dr. G.H. Choa, Director of Medical and Health Services..
He recalled that Hong Kong has not had a case of smallpox since June,
1952 - it was imported
open to us."
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and "we intend to maintain this record by every means
As a further protective measure, the department has sought the aid
of the Board of Airline Representatives, the Hong Kong Hotels' Association,
and the Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents to impress upon their travellers,
air crews, and staff the need for vaccination against the disease at this time..
The Hong Kong Tourist Association is advising Association members to
this effect, as well as informing Association offices abroad by telegram and telex.
The Association eircular says: "Travellers arriving at Kai Tak Airport
from non-infected areas who are not in possession of a valid smallpox vaccination
certificate will be vaccinated on arrival. Any passenger who refuses to be
vaccinated may be denied permission to land in Hong Kong."
These