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Thursday, April 26, 1973
HEALTH REPORT FOR MARCH
One Death From Measles Reported
Fifty-four cases of measles, resulting in one death, were reported
during March, according to monthly health statistics released today by the
Medical and Health Department.
In the preceding month, there were 56 notifications of measles, also
resulting in one death.
"Although the rate of incidence of the disease is considered relatively
low there were 168 notifications in February and March last year the two
fatal cases in February and March this year illustrate the need for early
immunisation," a spokesman said.
He was referring to the current annual anti-measles campaign which
was designed to remind parents of susceptible children between six months and five
years to have them immunised. The campaign is now in its fourth week.
The spokesman appealed for their co-operation to prevent the outbreak
of a measles epidemic in Hong Kong. The last epidemic was in the years 1966
and 1967 when 1,045 children died.
Notifications of chickenpox showed a slight decline in March, with
46 cases reported as against 99 at the same time last year.
There was no record during the month of cerebrospinal meningitis or
diphtheria. One case of poliomyelitis was notified.
Tuberculosis accounted for 949 cases and 109 deaths. There was no
significant change in the monthly averages of all other notifiable diseases,
During March, Hong Kong remained free from cholera, smallpox and other
quarantinable diseases.
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