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Thursday, February 14, 1974
SERIOUS RISE IN INCIDENCE OF MEASLES
11 Deaths, 367 Notifications In January Cause Concerni
Heven children aged between six months and two years died from
measles in January this year the highest monthly total since 1967, when
201 deaths from the disease were recorded.
In addition, 367 cases were notified the highest monthly total
since January 1967, when 951 notifications were received.
Dr. K.L. Thong, Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services
(Health), said today these figures
notifications for the whole of 1973
seen against the 21 deaths and 1,074
were causing serious concern.
He regretted that despite annual immunisation campaigns, and
widespread publicity, public co-operation had been poor. There were two
campaigns last year, the latest being in December, yet there had been no
significant response.
As a result, the department had advanced the date of the annual
measles immunisation campaign for 1974 from May to February 18. For a
month from that date, there would be intensive publicity to urge parents
of susceptible children up to five years to have them immunised.
Free vaccine would be available at all the 37 maternal and child
health centres throughout Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories run by
the Medical and Health Department.
Mobile teams would visit housing estates and other areas, and
as an added service, would call on any institution on request to inoculate
children in groups of 20 or more. The request could be made by a telephone
call to the department's regional health offices
Kowloon -010111 ext. 347; New Territories 3-866825.
Hong Kong Island 5-455501;
/Dr. Thong..............