79. The laboratory continued to function as a World Health Organization National Influenza Centre. A large outbreak of influenza was recorded in the period between 9th July and 12th August reaching maximum intensity in the latter part of July. The etiological agent was found to be a new antigenic variant of the A2 sub-type of influenza virus. It has been designated as the A2/Hong Kong/1968 strain and has spread to many parts of the world.
80. Other viruses found in association with sporadic cases of respiratory infections were the respiratory syncytial virus, para-influenza viruses type 2 and type 3, adenovirus types 3 and 7, and Coxsackie virus type BS. Other virus diseases of medical interest were a case of Japanese B encephalitis occuring in August and confirmed serologically, a case of a newborn infant presenting with spleno-hepatomegaly and jaundice and found to be suffering from cytomegalovirus infection, the virus being isolated from the urine, and a case of kerato-conjunctivitis in which adenovirus type 8 was detected.
81. The follow-up study of post-vaccinal measles antibody was con- tinued in children who received the Beckenham 31 or Schwartz live attenuated measles vaccine in 1966. These children were found to possess a satisfactory level of neutralizing antibody which remained stable after an initial fall in the first year after vaccination. It was con- cluded that the immunity conferred by both vaccines may be expected to remain effective for a further period.
In 1968, 220,900 doses of tri-valent polic-vaccine and 102,600 doses of mono-valent type 1 polio-vaccine were issued by the laboratory.
83.
INDUSTRIAL HEALTH
(See table 42)
The health of workers in factories and the other industrial undertakings is the statutory responsibility of the Commissioner of Labour. The Industrial Health Division of the Labour Department, which is staffed by personnel seconded from the Medical and Health Department, is responsible for advising the Commissioner on all matters affecting the health and welfare of industrial workers. Its principal functions are to prevent occupational diseases and to promote health at work. The inspection of industrial undertakings by medical officers of the Division in company with the factory inspectorate, the monitoring
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of the working environment by the laboratory staff, and the medical surveillance of notified occupational diseases are the principal ways in which these functions are carried out.
84. Environmental surveys included the measurement of silica dust in quarries, and of the concentrations in the air of, amongst many, lead, manganese, solvents, and sulphur dioxide, and the investigation of standards of thermal comfort, ventilation, noise and lighting.
85. The Workmen's Compensation Section is now part of the Industrial Health Division and this has resulted in improved co- ordination.
86. Under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (First Aid in Registrable Workplaces) Regulations. 1968, statutory requirements were made that first aid boxes be provided and that, where there are more than 100 employees, trained first aid workers must be available at all times. At the end of the year a survey was being undertaken on medical facilities in factories.
87. Monitoring of air pollutants continued and in May a Smoke Abatement Advisor was appointed to the Labour Department. This officer will take charge of the air-pollution control unit which will have, as its primary responsibility, the enforcement of the provisions of the Clear Air Ordinance.
88. Professional and technical staff of the Division gave a series of lectures to officers of the factory inspectorate under training, to medical students at the University of Hong Kong and to student health auxiliaries.
89. Industrial Medical Officers participated in Medical Boards held under the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance for the medical assess- ment of injured workers, Health visitors and nurses carried out case work and visited homes as well as providing an advisory service at the casualty departments of major bospitals.
HEALTH EDUCATION
90. A better appreciation by the Colony's population of the basic principles of personal and environmental hygiene and the prevention of disease continued to be the main health objective. A very wide field was covered by many branches of the Medical and Health Department and the co-operation of all voluntary agencies interested in such topics
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