1963 — Page 112

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 112 of 194

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:

Initially the cholera outbreak this year appeared to be similar to that experienced in the previous 2 years, except for its earlier onset and the high proportion of mild cases. The first case was confirmed on 28th June. Cases then continued to appear sporadically in most areas of the Colony until by the 19th September, a total of 27 cases had been reported. A period of 10 days then occurred without a case and it was hoped that the incidence would continue to decline, but a recrudescence of the disease was experienced at the end of September and during October which is still giving rise to cases. By the end of October there had been a total of 84 cases, i.e. an average of 5 cases a week since the outbreak began. Three deaths have so far been attributable to the disease.

The pattern of cholera has changed from the explosive and severe epidemic type seen in prewar and immediately post-war years and often associated with infected water supplies to a more endemic type of infection giving rise to sporadic cases, much milder in character, and having no determinable common source or relationship between them. Bacteriological investigation of nightsoil samples has revealed a widespread dissemination of the responsible organism and almost all nightsoil routes in both Hong Kong and Kowloon have been found infected.

The known number of anti-cholera inoculations carried out this year is 2.6 million or approximately 75% of the population. Three-quarters of the cholera cases which have occurred have not been inoculated and the majority of these were older persons over 45 years of age in whom the disease was generally more severe.

A short intensive reinoculation campaign is planned later this month to protect again those whose previous immunity might have waned since their inoculation six months ago.

It will therefore be necessary to continue anti-cholera measures until the disease has completely subsided and the assistance of health inspectors will continue to be needed for this purpose.

A number of health inspectors have already been withdrawn from emergency duties and at present there are 11 of these officers employed full-time on special anti-cholera work and 12 who in turn are on standby duties which do not interfere with their normal routine work.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, if I recall correctly, anti-cholera measures started some time in April and May. May I ask the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services whether there is a definite possibility of cholera continuing throughout the winter months?

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- There is always that possibility.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: I presume then that is what is meant by the term "endemic" type?

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- Yes, endemic means always there in small numbers, not epidemic.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Does that mean that anti-cholera measures will have to continue throughout the winter months?

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- Yes.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- I noticed recently, Mr. Chairman, that Hong Kong was the origin of the so-called Asian 'flu. Is there a possibility that we now seem to have a new species of cholera, probably a milder form of cholera? If that is the case, are we prepared to call it Asian cholera?

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- We are discussing a lot of diseases this afternoon, Mr. Chairman. However, this disease is usually called Asiatic cholera. (Laughter). The present cholera is of the El Tor strain which is one of the strains of cholera. There has been no change in the organism in the last three years since the first re-appearance of the disease in 1961. It was exactly the same organism as now.

MR. SALES:- Mr. Chairman, could the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services give this Council an assurance that should this be a new strain developing in Hong Kong the name would be "Hiltonian" in origin? (Laughter).

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Would it not sound so much better if it were of "Salesian" origin? (Laughter).

CHAIRMAN:- While I applaud Mr. CHEONG-LEEN's obvious thirst for knowledge, I must deplore this levity. (Laughter).

MR. BERNACCHI:- Mr. Chairman, on a point of order, may I call attention to Standing Order 8(i)-"If seven clear days' notice, etc. be given to the Secretary a Member of Council may ask the Chairman or the Chairman of any Committee any question relating to the business of the Council", and may I suggest that in future questions like the second, third, fifth and seventh are more properly addressed to the Chairman of the Select Committee concerned.

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Page 112 of 194 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows: Initially the cholera outbreak this year appeared to be similar to that experienced in the previous 2 years, except for its earlier onset and the high proportion of mild cases. The first case was confirmed on 28th June. Cases then continued to appear sporadically in most areas of the Colony until by the 19th September, a total of 27 cases had been reported. A period of 10 days then occurred without a case and it was hoped that the incidence would continue to decline, but a recrudescence of the disease was experienced at the end of September and during October which is still giving rise to cases. By the end of October there had been a total of 84 cases, i.e. an average of 5 cases a week since the outbreak began. Three deaths have so far been attributable to the disease. The pattern of cholera has changed from the explosive and severe epidemic type seen in prewar and immediately post-war years and often associated with infected water supplies to a more endemic type of infection giving rise to sporadic cases, much milder in character, and having no determinable common source or relationship between them. Bacteriological investigation of nightsoil samples has revealed a widespread dissemination of the responsible organism and almost all nightsoil routes in both Hong Kong and Kowloon have been found infected. The known number of anti-cholera inoculations carried out this year is 2.6 million or approximately 75% of the population. Three-quarters of the cholera cases which have occurred have not been inoculated and the majority of these were older persons over 45 years of age in whom the disease was generally more severe. A short intensive reinoculation campaign is planned later this month to protect again those whose previous immunity might have waned since their inoculation six months ago. It will therefore be necessary to continue anti-cholera measures until the disease has completely subsided and the assistance of health inspectors will continue to be needed for this purpose. A number of health inspectors have already been withdrawn from emergency duties and at present there are 11 of these officers employed full-time on special anti-cholera work and 12 who in turn are on standby duties which do not interfere with their normal routine work. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, if I recall correctly, anti-cholera measures started some time in April and May. May I ask the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services whether there is a definite possibility of cholera continuing throughout the winter months? DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- There is always that possibility. MR. CHEONG-LEEN: I presume then that is what is meant by the term "endemic" type? DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- Yes, endemic means always there in small numbers, not epidemic. MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Does that mean that anti-cholera measures will have to continue throughout the winter months? DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- Yes. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- I noticed recently, Mr. Chairman, that Hong Kong was the origin of the so-called Asian 'flu. Is there a possibility that we now seem to have a new species of cholera, probably a milder form of cholera? If that is the case, are we prepared to call it Asian cholera? DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- We are discussing a lot of diseases this afternoon, Mr. Chairman. However, this disease is usually called Asiatic cholera. (Laughter). The present cholera is of the El Tor strain which is one of the strains of cholera. There has been no change in the organism in the last three years since the first re-appearance of the disease in 1961. It was exactly the same organism as now. MR. SALES:- Mr. Chairman, could the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services give this Council an assurance that should this be a new strain developing in Hong Kong the name would be "Hiltonian" in origin? (Laughter). MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Would it not sound so much better if it were of "Salesian" origin? (Laughter). CHAIRMAN:- While I applaud Mr. CHEONG-LEEN's obvious thirst for knowledge, I must deplore this levity. (Laughter). MR. BERNACCHI:- Mr. Chairman, on a point of order, may I call attention to Standing Order 8(i)-"If seven clear days' notice, etc. be given to the Secretary a Member of Council may ask the Chairman or the Chairman of any Committee any question relating to the business of the Council", and may I suggest that in future questions like the second, third, fifth and seventh are more properly addressed to the Chairman of the Select Committee concerned. Page 112 of 194

Baseline (Original)

of 194 Page 112 of 194 206 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows: Initially the cholera outbreak this year appeared to be similar to that experienced in the previous 2 years, except for its earlier onset and the high proportion of mild cases. The first case was confirmed on 28th June. Cases then con- tinued to appear sporadically in most areas of the Colony until by the 19th September, a total of 27 cases had been reported. A period of 10 days then occurred without a case and it was hoped that the incidence would continue to decline, but a recrudescence of the disease was experi- enced at the end of September and during October which is still giving rise to cases. By the end of October there had been a total of 84 cases, i.e. an average of 5 cases a week since the outbreak began. Three deaths have so far been attributable to the disease. The pattern of cholera has changed from the explosive and severe epidemic type seen in prewar and immediately post war years and often associated with infected water supplies to a more endemic type of infection giving rise to sporadic cases, much milder in character, and having no determin- able common source or relationship between them. Bacteriological investigation of nightsoil samples has revealed a widespread dissemination of the responsible organism and almost all nightsoil routes in both Hong Kong and Kowloon have been found infected. The known number of anti-cholera inoculations carried out this year is 2.6 million or approximately 75% of the population. Three quarters of the cholera cases which have occurred have not been inoculated and the majority of these were older persons over 45 years of age in whom the disease was generally more severe. A short intensive reinoculation campaign is planned later this month to protect again those whose previous immunity might have waned since their inoculation six months ago. It will therefore be necessary to continue anti-cholera measures until the disease has completely subsided and the assist- ance of health inspectors will continue to be needed for this purpose. A number of health inspectors have already been withdrawn from emergency duties and at present there are 11 of these officers employed full time on special anti-cholera work and 12 who in turn are on standby duties which do not interfere with their normal routine work. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 207 MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, if I recall correctly, anti- cholera measures started some time in April and May. May I ask the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services whether there is a definite possibility of cholera continuing throughout the winter months? DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-There is always that possibility. MR. CHEONG-LEEN: term "endemic" type? DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-Yes, en- demic means always there in small numbers, not epidemic. -I presume then that is what is meant by the MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Does that mean that anti-cholera measures will have to continue throughout the winter months? DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-Yes. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I noticed recently, Mr. Chairman, that Hong Kong was the origin of the so-called Asian 'flu. Is there a possibility that we now seem to have a new species of cholera, probably a milder form of cholera? If that is the case, are we prepared to call it Asian cholera? DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-We are discussing a lot of diseases this afternoon, Mr. Chairman. However, this disease is usually called Asiatic cholera. (Laughter). The present cholera is of the El Tor strain which is one of the strains of cholera. There has been no change in the organism in the last three years since the first re-appearance of the disease in 1961. It was exactly the same organism as now. MR. SALES-Mr. Chairman, could the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services give this Council an assurance that should this be a new strain developing in Hong Kong the name would be "Hiltonian" in origin? (Laughter). MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Would it not sound so much better if it were of "Salesian" origin? (Laughter). CHAIRMAN:-While I applaud Mr. CHEONG-LEEN's obvious thirst for knowledge, I must deplore this levity. (Laughter). MR. BERNACCHI :-Mr. Chairman, on a point of order, may I call attention to Standing Order 8(i)-"If seven clear days' notice, etc. be given to the Secretary a Member of Council may ask the Chairman or the Chairman of any Committee any question relating to the business of the Council", and may I suggest that in future questions like the second, third, fifth and seventh are more properly addressed to the Chairman of the Select Committee concerned.

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of 194

Page 112 of 194

206

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:

Initially the cholera outbreak this year appeared to be similar to that experienced in the previous 2 years, except for its earlier onset and the high proportion of mild cases. The first case was confirmed on 28th June. Cases then con- tinued to appear sporadically in most areas of the Colony until by the 19th September, a total of 27 cases had been reported. A period of 10 days then occurred without a case and it was hoped that the incidence would continue to decline, but a recrudescence of the disease was experi- enced at the end of September and during October which is still giving rise to cases. By the end of October there had been a total of 84 cases, i.e. an average of 5 cases a week since the outbreak began. Three deaths have so far been attributable to the disease.

The pattern of cholera has changed from the explosive and severe epidemic type seen in prewar and immediately post war years and often associated with infected water supplies to a more endemic type of infection giving rise to sporadic cases, much milder in character, and having no determin- able common source or relationship between them. Bacteriological investigation of nightsoil samples has revealed a widespread dissemination of the responsible organism and almost all nightsoil routes in both Hong Kong and Kowloon have been found infected.

The known number of anti-cholera inoculations carried out this year is 2.6 million or approximately 75% of the population. Three quarters of the cholera cases which have occurred have not been inoculated and the majority of these were older persons over 45 years of age in whom the disease was generally more severe.

A short intensive reinoculation campaign is planned later this month to protect again those whose previous immunity might have waned since their inoculation six months ago.

It will therefore be necessary to continue anti-cholera measures until the disease has completely subsided and the assist- ance of health inspectors will continue to be needed for this purpose.

A number of health inspectors have already been withdrawn from emergency duties and at present there are 11 of these officers employed full time on special anti-cholera work and 12 who in turn are on standby duties which do not interfere with their normal routine work.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

207

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, if I recall correctly, anti- cholera measures started some time in April and May. May I ask the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services whether there is a definite possibility of cholera continuing throughout the winter months?

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-There is always that possibility.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: term "endemic" type?

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-Yes, en- demic means always there in small numbers, not epidemic.

-I presume then that is what is meant by the

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Does that mean that anti-cholera measures will have to continue throughout the winter months?

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-Yes.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I noticed recently, Mr. Chairman, that Hong Kong was the origin of the so-called Asian 'flu. Is there a possibility that we now seem to have a new species of cholera, probably a milder form of cholera? If that is the case, are we prepared to call it Asian cholera?

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-We are discussing a lot of diseases this afternoon, Mr. Chairman. However, this disease is usually called Asiatic cholera. (Laughter). The present cholera is of the El Tor strain which is one of the strains of cholera. There has been no change in the organism in the last three years since the first re-appearance of the disease in 1961. It was exactly the same organism as now.

MR. SALES-Mr. Chairman, could the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services give this Council an assurance that should this be a new strain developing in Hong Kong the name would be "Hiltonian" in origin? (Laughter).

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Would it not sound so much better if it were of "Salesian" origin? (Laughter).

CHAIRMAN:-While I applaud Mr. CHEONG-LEEN's obvious thirst for knowledge, I must deplore this levity. (Laughter).

MR. BERNACCHI :-Mr. Chairman, on a point of order, may I call attention to Standing Order 8(i)-"If seven clear days' notice, etc. be given to the Secretary a Member of Council may ask the Chairman or the Chairman of any Committee any question relating to the business of the Council", and may I suggest that in future questions like the second, third, fifth and seventh are more properly addressed to the Chairman of the Select Committee concerned.

1963 — Page 112

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