XN000022-1984-05-12 — Page 7

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 1984

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PUBLIC WARNED OF MALARIA RISKS

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WITH THE APPROACH OF THE HOT AND HUMID SEASON, RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE LIVING IN THE SAI KUNG AND BORDER AREAS, ARE BEING ASKED TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE RISK OF MALARIA INFECTION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT CAMPERS AND PICNICKERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE PLANNING TO STAY OVERNIGHT, SHOULD WEAR LONG TROUSERS AND LONG-SLEEVED CLOTHES.

IN ADDITION, THEY SHOULD USE INSECT REPELLENTS AND MOSQUITO NETS OR SCREENS.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THESE MEASURES TO PREVENT MOSQUITO BITES ARE IMPORTANT AS MALARIA IS TRANSMITTED BY ANOPHELINE MOSQUITOES.

+BUT THE BEST PREVENTION IS TO STOP MOSQUITOES FROM BREEDING, + THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

AS MALARIA VECTORS BREED IN CLEAR WATER STREAMS AND STAGNANT WATER, THEY ARE MOSTLY FOUND IN IRRIGATION DITCHES, HILL STREAMS, EXCAVATION SITES AND ABANDONED PADDY FIELDS.

LAST YEAR 125 CASES OF MALARIA WERE REPORTED IN HONG KONG, 30 OF THEM OF LOCAL ORIGIN AND THE REST IMPORTED. NINETEEN OF THE LOCAL CASES OCCURRED IN SAI KUNG.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED TO THE FOLLOWING FACTORS FOR THE INCREASED RISK OF IMPORTED MALARIA INFECTION :

* THE LARGE NUMBERS OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS TRAVELLING

TO CHINA AND OF PEOPLE COMING FROM ACROSS THE BORDER IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.

* THE GENERAL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS FROM

COUNTRIES WHERE MALARIA IS ENDEMIC.

* REFUGEES FROM VIETNAM.

AN EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF SURVEILLANCE, CASE DETECTION, TREATMENT, INVESTIGATION AND REMEDIAL ACTION IS THE ONLY EFFECTIVE AND PRACTICAL WAY FOR HONG KONG TO PROTECT ITSELF AGAINST THE IMPORTATION OF MALARIA, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS ESTABLISHED A NETWORK OF HOSPITALS AND CLINICS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY FOR CASE DETECTION.

/BLOOD SAMPLES