XN000022-1974-01-29 — Page 5

Tuesday, January 29, 1974.

HEALTH REPORT FOR DECEMBER

Incidence Of Measles Continues To Iu sase

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Health returns for December last year issued today by the Medical

and Health Department show that eight children died from the disease

highest number of deaths by measles recorded for any single month since

August 1969.

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The deaths brought the total of fatalities from measles in 1973 to

21, compared with nine in 1972. Notifications totalled 1,034 compared with

783. The incidence of measles in December alone totalled 191, compared with

129 in November.

Commenting on these figures, a spokesman said they empl..ised the

need for parents of susceptible children between six months and five years to

have them immunised.

"Free vaccine is available throughout the year at all maternal and

child health centres," he stressed.

All the 93 other deaths recorded durig December were caused by

tuberculosis.

There were 23 notifications of bacillary dysentery, 33 of chickenpox,

and one of diphtheria.

Sixteen cases of typhoid were reported, and one of paratyphoid.

There were no local cases of malaria, cut three recurrent imported cases were

notified.

The incidence of other communicable diseases show no appreciable

variation.

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During the month, Hong Kong remained free from cholera and other

quarantinable diseases.

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