X1000306-1976-77_Part01 — Page 7

Malaria

A total of 39 cases were reported of which 37 were imported, one was induced after blood transfusion, and the other was cryptic in origin.

Measles

A total of 1,463 notifications with 10 deaths were reported. Measles la most prevalent among children under five years and the pattern of infection has no longer been biennial since the introduction of anti-measles vaccine in 1967. The notifications reported in the past years are shown in Figure 4.

Influenza

Scattered outbreaks and sporadic cases were observed throughout the year. The causative agent was mainly influenza A/Victoria/3/75 virus which had been prevalent since April 1975. Influenza B/Hong Kong/5/72 virus was detected on one occasion.

Parainfluenza type 3 virus and adenovirus type 3 were frequently detected in the second quarter of the year while parainfluenza type 1 virus was active in the third and fourth quarters.

Viral Hepatitis

A total of 969 cases with 45 deaths were notified,

44 per cent of the cases were in the age group 15-29 and the male to female ratio was 2 to 1.

IV.

HEALTH SERVICES

(Tables 26-41)

Tuberculosis and Chest Service

There was a gratifying fall in the tuberculosis death rate from 14.7 in 1975 to 12.8 per 100,000 population.

The

notification rate dropped from 186 in 1975 to 178 per 100,000 population in 1976. Figures 5 and 6 show the mortality and notification rates by age and sex. Tuberculosis is now rare under the age of 15.

Attendances at government chest clinics remained at the high level of 1,215,522,

During the year 98 per cent of the newborn were given BCG. This is probably the highest coverage rate in the world. The resulting decline in infant mortality from tuberculosis is shown in Figure 7.

Social Hygiene Service

The incidence of venereal diseases was 6,340 as compared with 7,361 in the previous year, a decrease of 14 per cent.

Approximately 7 per cent of the cases came from the teenage group. The main venereal diseases were gonorrhoea (52 per cent), non-gonococcal urethritis (17 per cent), syphills (14 per cent).

and

Only 0.4 per cent of all ante-natal cases showed an initial positive serology. of 135 positive cases referred from ante-natal clinics, 59 per cent were found to be suffering from syphilis.

Figures 8 and 9 show the incidence of syphilis and gonorrhoea from 1967 to 1976.

fer cases of leprosy identified and treated numbered 76, representing a rate of 1.7 per 100,000 population. Tuber. culoid manifestations comprised 47 per cent. Leprosy patients who require hospitalisation are now treated in Lai Chi Kok Hospital.

Family Health Service

The Family Health Service provides a comprehensive health care programme for women of child bearing age and children from birth to five years. For maternal and child health service, there are a total of 37 centres, 22 of which are full-time and the rest are part-time centres operating on