ENG-1959 — Page 171

140

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

on tests for insecticide resistance in adult mosquitoes and larvae was forwarded to the World Health Organization.

Poliomyelitis. Sporadic cases of poliomyelitis were notified throughout the year and there was not the marked seasonal in- crease during the summer months which marked the previous years. A total of 86 cases was recorded of which 57 occurred in Chinese children under 3 years of age. There were 20 deaths, one being that of a European recently resident in the Colony. 7 cases were notified amongst the non-Chinese population. A full course of Salk-type vaccine is highly desirable for all, irrespective of age, who intend to take up residence in Hong Kong.

The poliovirus laboratory, which is being established in conjunc- tion with the Department of Pathology of the University, was almost completed by the end of the year.

Diphtheria. Despite ample facilities for the protection of young children against diphtheria, 1959 was the worst year on record. 2,087 cases were recorded with 116 deaths as against 1,555 cases and 134 deaths during 1958. The case fatality rate, however, was 5.6% as against 8.6% the previous year.

The consistently poor response to the facilities for protective inoculations offered widely at no cost, despite intensive and con- tinuing propaganda, made it obvious that much more needs to be done to bring home to parents the necessity of full co-operation. An Inter-Departmental Committee on Health Education under the chairmanship of the Assistant Director of Health Services was formed in May 1959, with representatives of the Education, Urban Services, Social Welfare, Information Services, and Medical and Health Departments and of the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs. The Committee concentrated attention on the education of the public in the causes, results and prevention of diphtheria. Particular em- phasis was laid on the necessity for parents to co-operate by ensur- ing that children were brought for the full course of inoculations. By the end of the year this intensive effort appeared to be achiev- ing some success, but the situation is still not satisfactory. Records of second and booster doses of A.P.T. compared to 1958 were:

1st Dose 2nd Dose 'Booster Doses'

1958

1959

109,336

223,209

90,396 144,118

42,330

63,582