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Friday, August 10, 1973
HEALTH VISITORS IN CHAI WAN ESTATE
During the month of July, three cases of meningococcal meningitis,
were diagnosed; all three were traced back to Chai Wan Estate, the Director
of Medical and Health Services, Dr. G.H. Choa, said today.
Tieningococcal meningitis occurs sporadically in Hong Kong. Last
year, between January and the beginning of August, there were ten cases
of the disease, and five deaths. This year, during the corresponding
period, there were eight cases and three deaths.
'Because, last July, the three cases were from the same Estate,
certain measures were considered necessary to ensure that the disease
does not spread to more people, especially children.
"Health visitors were therefore sent to Chai Wan to find out
whether there were any sick children with symptoms of meningitis in the
area. In addition, health visitors also gave lectures in health education
on how to avoid contact with possible meningitis cases,
"These measures at this time are considered important because
the new school term is due to begin in two or three weeks, and any suspected
case must be diagnosed and treated early so that when the new school term
starts, sick children, or carriers of the disease, will not spread it.
This explains the presence of health visitors in the Estate. It
should not be misconstrued. Despite intensified surveillance, no fresh
case of the disease has been discovered since the end of July.
H
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