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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL HONG KONG URBAN COUNCILMINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 1st August, 1967 were confirmed.
PAPER.
The CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following paper:
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of August, 1967.
QUESTIONS.
(1) MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question:-
In view of the risk of increase of typhoid and gastro-enteritis what steps are being taken to ensure that water delivered to restaurants is not contaminated?
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:-
The numerous sources and methods of collecting stream and well water for delivery to restaurants make it impracticable to ensure that the water is not contaminated at source. Every effort is, however, made to safeguard the quality of water stored in restaurants irrespective of source. Special instructions have been issued to the Health Inspectorate. Leaflets have been prepared and distributed to all licensed food premises giving simple and concise instructions on chlorination of stored water and pointing out the limited permissible use of water other than mains water. Careful and regular checks by the Inspectorate show that licensees of food premises are heeding the advice given and are exercising great care in the use of stored water.
MR. BERNACCHI: -Mr. Chairman, a supplementary, has the Deputy Director any figures for cases of typhoid during June, July and August?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-The figures for typhoid during June, July and August are as follows:-
June 67 cases with 2 deaths
July 47 cases with 1 death
August 81 cases with no deaths
If I might continue, Mr. Chairman, I would like to compare that to the five year average, 1962 to 1966, in which the equivalent figures are 71 and 1, 81 and 1 and 74 and 3.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Dr. WYLIE read that rather fast.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-Sorry, 67 and 71 in June; in July 47 and 81, and in August 81 and 74.
MR. BERNACCHI:-In other words, the May figure is below the average?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-The July figure was just over half the average of the five year average.
MR. BERNACCHI:-The July figure was about half the average, and the May figure?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-The June figure was below the average, and the August figure just about the average.
MR. BERNACCHI:-So that the June figure was about half the average?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-The July figure. Sorry, I will read them again, June 67 - 71, July 47 - 81, August 81 - 74.
MR. BERNACCHI:-So that the August figure is the one that is up?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-The August figure is about average, 81 - 74.
MR. BERNACCHI:-As compared with the July figure which is below the average.
The analysis really is that the June figure is below the average, the July figure is very much below the average, the August figure is slightly above the average?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-Yes, Mr. Chairman, that is in actual terms, for minor variations do occur, and I would say that June and August are average months. July was very low.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Now, the gastro-enteritis, of course, you have no figures because it is not a reportable disease. Is the Deputy Director satisfied that all necessary control is being exercised over water that could be polluted?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-I am satisfied that the necessary control is being exercised as far as possible within the power of the Urban Services Department in its inspection.
MR. SALES:-Mr. Chairman, can this Council be assured that the same standard of control and supervision will be exercised this time as was done when the last drought was in effect?
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 99 of 259
175
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 1st August, 1967 were confirmed.
PAPER.
The CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following paper:
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of August, 1967.
QUESTIONS.
(1) MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question:-
In view of the risk of increase of typhoid and gastro-enteritis what steps are being taken to ensure that water delivered to restaurants is not contaminated?
THE DEPUTY Director of Medical and HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:-
The numerous sources and methods of collecting stream and well water for delivery to restaurants make it impractica- ble to ensure that the water is not contaminated at source. Every effort is, however, made to safeguard the quality of water stored in restaurants irrespective of source. Special instructions have been issued to the Health Inspectorate. Leaflets have been prepared and distributed to all licensed food premises giving simple and concise instructions on chlorination of stored water and pointing out the limited permissible use of water other than mains water. Careful and regular checks by the Inspectorate show that licensees of food premises are heeding the advice given and are exercising great care in the use of stored water.
MR. BERNACCHI: --Mr. Chairman, a supplementary, has the Deputy Director any figures for cases of typhoid during June, July and August? DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-The figures for typhoid during June, July and August are as follows:-
June 67 cases with 2 deaths
July 47 cases with 1 death
August 81 cases with no deaths
If I might continue, Mr. Chairman, I would like to compare that to the five year average, 1962 to 1966, in which the equivalent figures are 71 and 1, 81 and 1 and 74 and 3.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Dr. WYILE read that rather fast.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-Sorry, 67 and 71 in June; in July 47 and 81, and in August 81 and 74.
MR. BERNACCHI:-In other words, the May figure is below the average?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-The July figure was just over half the average of the five year average.
MR. BERNACCHI:-The July figure was about half the average, and the May figure?
DEPUTY DIREctor of MediCAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-The June figure was below the average, and the August figure just about the average.
MR. BERNACCHI:-So that the June figure was about half the average?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-The July figure. Sorry, I will read them again, June 67 - 71, July 47 - 81, August 81 - 74.
MR. BERNACCHI:--So that the August figure is the one that is up?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES: -The August figure is about average, 81 - 74.
MR. BERNACCHI:-As compared with the July figure which is below the average.
The analysis really is that the June figure is below the average, the July figure is very much below the average, the August figure is slightly above the average?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES : --Yes, Mr. Chairman, that is in actual terms, for minor variations do occur, and I would say that June and August are average months. July was very low.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Now, the gastro-enteritis, of course, you have no figures because it is not a reportable disease. Is the Deputy Director satisfied that all necessary control is being exercised over water that could be polluted?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-I am satisfied that the necessary control is being exercised as far as possible within the power of the Urban Services Department in its inspection.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, can this Council be assured that the same standard of control and supervision will be exercised this time as was done when the last drought was in effect?
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.