ENG-1968 — Page 158

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HEALTH

Measles is most prevalent during the cooler months and epidemics are characteristically biennial, the last one occurring in the winter of 1966–7. After an investigation lasting eighteen months into the value of modified live vaccine under Hong Kong conditions, a Colony-wide immunization campaign commenced in December 1967. It is as yet too early to determine the overall effect of this measure but cases during the last two months of 1968 were en- couragingly lower than had been expected. The high case fatality ratio among notified cases reflects the incompleteness of notification; furthermore, a high percentage of the deaths were reported from public mortuaries, indicating that majority of the cases did not seek early medical attention. Death was due mainly to bronchop- neumonia encountered too late for treatment to be effective, but continuing efforts are made to encourage parents to seek early medical advice.

Influenza was of particular importance as an epidemic occurred in the summer of 1968. It commenced in the second week of July and followed the characteristic pattern of influenzal outbreaks in urban communities i.e. abrupt start and rapid spread. The peak was reached during the week ending July 27 and the epidemic was over by the end of August. It was estimated that some 10 per cent of the Colony's population were affected, and 27 persons died as a result of the disease, these deaths occurring amongst the very young and the very elderly. The aetiological agent proved to be a virus of the influenza A2 type which had undergone a considerable change in its antigenic structure. It subsequently spread beyond Hong Kong to involve other countries in the South-East Asian and Pacific areas.

PORT HEALTH SERVICE

The Port Health Service is responsible for enforcing the Interna- tional Sanitary Regulations as embodied in the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance, with the aim of ensuring the maximum security against the spread of quarantinable diseases with the minimum of interference to traffic. The following facilities are provided by the service: vaccination centres for travellers and other members of the public; free medical advice to ships at sea and assistance to emergencies in the harbour and the airport. Rigid vigilance and appropriate measures are adopted concerning arrivals