ENG-1962 — Page 178

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HEALTH

did typhoon Wanda with its aftermath of many thousands of homeless crowded together in emergency reception centres. Fort- unately no epidemic of serious proportions occurred during the year although there was a recurrence of cholera not related to either the influx of immigrants or to the typhoon.

Notifications of poliomyelitis showed the highest incidence since 1958 and there was a marked increase in the number of cases of measles. Owing to preoccupation with cholera inoculations the diphtheria immunization campaign was somewhat dislocated and there was not the continuing decline in the occurrence of cases that had been expected. The enteric diseases, notably typhoid and bacillary dysentery, showed little change in the pattern of appear- ance compared with previous years.

The toll taken by accidents at work, on the streets and in the home which required treatment in casualty departments and admis- sion to hospital continued to rise. An analysis of occupational injuries showed that some 30 per cent were hand injuries. In the older age groups, as would be expected in any ageing population, the diseases of later life such as cancer, heart disease and cerebral

= accidents again showed a rise.

At the invitation of Government, Professor F. Heaf, CMG, the Secretary of State's Adviser in Tuberculosis, and Dr Wallace Fox, of the Medical Research Council, visited Hong Kong and carried out an assessment of the current status of tuberculosis as a com- munity health problem. A report making recommendations on future policy and research has been submitted and is under con- sideration by Government. !!

During March 1962 a survey of cases of tuberculosis newly diagnosed at Government chest clinics showed that 12 per cent of them had been in the Colony for six months or less. This number, when added to the total of new infections detected among permanent residents, poses a serious problem. Accordingly, following the sudden influx of immigrants in May and between the months of June and November, all applicants for identity card registration were X-rayed to assess the type and distribution of pulmonary disease that may be expected among people arriving from China.

There was no easing of the pressure on clinic and hospital facilities. Without any significant increase in the number of hospital