The total number of registered live births in the year was 73 030, a crude birth rate of 12.9 per thousand population compared to 12.5 in 1987. In the same year, the infant mortality rate remained at a low level of 7.6 per thousand live births. The major causes of infant deaths recorded were congenital abnormalities (37%), anoxia, hypoxia and birth asphyxia (24%), immaturity (10%), pneumonia (4%) and perinatal disorders of digestive systems (4%). The maternal mortality rate remained as 0.04 per thousand total births.
The average life expectancy for females was 79.9 and that for
males 74.4 years.
ITI Communicable-Diseases
There were 2 cholera cases reported in 1988, one local case and one imported case from Macau. Close surveillance, intensified health education and environmental measures were continued. There was no report of any other quarantinable diacase.
Seven cases of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) were reported during the year, bringing the total number of AIDS cases on record to 16, of which 11 have died.
As there is no effective cure for AIDS and no vaccine available, the Medical & Health Department has put the emphasis of prevention and control on education and publicity.
In addition to the on-going health education and publicity efforts started in 1983, a 'Community AIDS Concern Week' was launched in the first week of December in support of the World AIDS Day of the World Health. Organization, It enlisted the participation and support of various Government departments, voluntary bodies, the media as well as a number of religious groups. Activities organised included an exhibition, a Sunday concert, an inter-school debate, and a series of seminars for medical professionals, social workers, business corporations and the media.
The AIDS Counselling and Health Education Service expanded its work to include a heavy commitment in health education. Health talks are regularly delivered to various groups, including students, office workers, prison inmates and intravenous drug abusers.
The Surveillance Programme for infection by the AIDS virus, began in April 1985, continued under the monitor of the Expert Committee on AIDS. Up to December 1988, a total of 134 individuals were found to be infected with the virus.
Blood screening for antibodies to the AIDS virus, introduced by the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service in August 1995, was maintained to prevent the possible transmission of the disease through blood transfusion.
An outbreak of hepatitis A occurred between January and April 1988, with more than 800 confirmed cases notified. Epidemiological investigation revealed that the outbreak was associated with the consumption of contaminated bivalve shellfish.
Surveillance and public health control measures were intensified. An inter-departmental committee was set up to co-ordinate the various control measures, such as increased inspection of food premises and control of unlicensed food hawkers.
Health education messages on the importance of personal and food hygiene were widely disseminated to the public through television, radio, press releases, posters, pamphlets, a 24-hour telephone information service, and broadcasting at points of exit.
The concerted efforts of the different departments involved in the imposition and enforcement of the various food hygiene measures helped greatly to arouse public awareness of the problem. The outbreak was contained by May, and the number of cases returned to the normal level.
man.
One imported case of human rabies was reported in a 29-year-old There was no case of animal rabies.
During the year, 98 cases of malarla were notified, most of them imported cases, with the most frequent source of infection from Vietnam, China and Africa. There was only one indigenous case which occurred at Ta Kwu Ling near the border.
An active surveillance programe was undertaken on all notified malaria cases to minimise the possibility of a build-up of parasite density in the community. Through the Inter-departmental Co-ordinating Committee on The Malaria Control, prevention and treatment programmes were co-ordinated. combined efforts towards early case-detection, vector control and health education were sustained. The establishment of the Central Reference Laboratory for malaria also assisted in early detection and prompt treatment of patients.
There was an outbreak of measles early in the year. Epidemiological analyses of the cases showed that most (70%) had not received the anti-measles immunisation, confirming that the outbreak was due to the accumulation of susceptible cases.
Between January and July, over 3 000 cases were reported, reaching a peak in May with a monthly total of 1 179. Eight children, all of whom had not received the vaccination, died during the outbreak from the complications of measles.
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