ENG-1985 — Page 155

HEALTH

Health of the Community

111.

Hong Kong people continue to enjoy good general health, largely due to anti-epidemic and disease surveillance measures, developments in preventive and personal health services, and a high standard of living. This progress is further reflected in the highly satisfactory health indices and the general decline in the incidence of major communicable diseases.

The leading causes of death today are various forms of cancer, heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases. The low infant mortality rate is attributed to the provision of comprehensive family health care facilities as well as to improvements in environmental and socio-economic conditions.

Two isolated local cases of cholera were reported in July and September. The disease affected a 71-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man; both recovered after treatment and no secondary case was reported. The common communicable childhood diseases such as diphtheria, whooping cough and poliomyelitis have largely been brought under control. No cases of rabies were reported.

During the year, a total of 168 cases of malaria were notified. Imported cases are still on the increase with 163 cases reported in 1985. The number of indigenous cases fell to three over the same period. These cases occurred in the Ma Wan, Yuen Long and Ta Kwu Ling areas. All notified malaria cases were thoroughly investigated and followed up by regional health staff. This active surveillance programme was undertaken to minimise the possibility of a built-up parasite density in the local community and to ensure that all practicable preven- tion and treatment programmes were being instituted effectively.

Since the establishment of the Central Reference Laboratory for malaria, all positive slides as well as 10 per cent of all initial negative blood slides were cross-checked for the presence of the parasite.

Malaria control in the territory was concentrated on early case detection and notifica- tion, vector control and health education. Health talks, film shows, posters, pamphlets, press releases and radio and television interviews were utilised to remind the general public to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, and to urge picnickers and international travellers to protect themselves against mosquito bites.

Tuberculosis remains an important disease in Hong Kong. In spite of continued diligence and a dynamic programme in the fight against the disease, the total number of notifications remained at 7 545 in 1985, representing a notification rate of 139.13 per 100 000. The factors which account for the high level in notifications are an increased awareness of the disease by the public and an increased response to case-finding measures. A further important factor is the movement of population from other parts of the region where the incidence of the disease is higher.

Deaths from tuberculosis, however, continued to fall from 420 in 1984 to 409 in 1985, and the death rate from 7.83 to 7.54 per 100 000.

Measles and rubella vaccination programmes were carried out in family health clinics and schools. Measles vaccinations were given to one-year-old babies and rubella vaccinations to girls in Primary 6 classes. The coverage was in the region of 70 per cent and 95 per cent respectively. To increase the protection of the at-risk group, namely women of child-bearing age, the rubella vaccinations were made available to nurses, teachers, and social workers who are in constant contact with children. These vaccinations are also given to eligible women attending the various Family Health Services clinics.

Both virus hepatitis A and hepatitis B remain prevalent in the community with 1 601 notified cases and 13 deaths reported during the year. Because of the public health implications of hepatitis, which usually leads to long-term liver complications such as