XN000022-1986-08-27 — Page 2

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1986

FATAL RABIES CASE CONFIRMED

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A 37-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO DIED IN PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL LAST SATURDAY HAS BEEN CONFIRMED TO HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM RABIES, A MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE CASE HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS AN IMPORTED ONE SINCE THE MAN HAD REPORTEDLY SUSTAINED A DOG BITE ON HIS LEFT LEG IN JUNE DURING A STAY IN CHINA, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ON AUGUST 14, THE MAN BEGAN TO FEEL UNWELL, VOMITING AND HAVING PAIN IN THE LOWER BACK. HE WAS REFERRED TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL AFTER CONSULTING A PRIVATE PRACTITIONER ON AUGUST 19. THE MAN WAS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL AS A SUSPECTED RABIES SUFFERER AND DIED FOUR DAYS LATER.

A POST MORTEM CONFIRMED THAT RABIES WAS THE CAUSE OF DEATH.

STAFF FROM THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT CONTACTED MEMBERS OF THE MAN'S FAMILY IN THEIR NORTH POINT HOME TO GIVE THEM HEALTH COUNSELLING.

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STRINGENT ANTI-RABIES MEASURES TO STAY

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ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO INDIGENOUS RABIES OUTBREAK SINCE AUGUST 1984, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IS MAINTAINING VIGILANCE TO PREVENT A RESURGENCE OF THE DISEASE IN HONG KONG.

THE DEPARTMENT'S SENIOR VETERINARY OFFICER, DR NORMAN CHENG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT WHILE HONG KONG MIGHT BE CONSIDERED RABIES-FREE, STRINGENT ANTI-RABIES MEASURES SHOULD CONTINUE ESPECIALLY IN THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA WHICH IS VULNERABLE TO THE RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE DISEASE.

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION'S EXPERT COMMITTEE HAS DEFINED A +RABIES FREE AREA+ AS ONE IN WHICH NO INDIGENOUSLY ACQUIRED RABIES INFECTION HAS OCCURRED IN MAN OR ANIMAL IN THE AREA FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

DR CHENG SAID THE DECISION TO MAINTAIN THE RABIES INFECTED AREA IN THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA DID NOT MEAN THAT EFFORTS TO CONTROL THE DISEASE IN URBAN AREAS AND IN OTHER PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD BE RELAXED.

+WE WILL CONTINUE TO INOCULATE DOGS AND STRICTLY ENFORCE CONTROL MEASURES INCLUDING THE QUARANTINE OF IMPORTED DOGS AND CATS, STRAY DOG CONTROL AND COMPULSORY DETENTION OF BITER DOGS FOR OBSERVATION, HE SAID.

/AS PART