ENG-1987 — Page 166

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HEALTH

The leading causes of death today are cancer, heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases. The low infant mortality rate is attributed to the provision of comprehensive family health care and neo-natal care facilities as well as improvements in environmental and socio-economic conditions. Six cases of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) were reported during the year, bringing the total number of AIDS cases on record to nine, of which eight had died.

As there is still no cure for AIDS and no vaccine available, education and publicity remain the only effective preventive measure.

To intensify the health education efforts, which began in 1983, a Committee on Education and Publicity on AIDS was formed in January 1987, co-ordinating the work on the subject by various government departments. The AIDS publicity campaign was then launched in phases starting in April with press releases, media publicity, distribution of leaflets, exhibitions, and advertisements on the MTR, newspapers and cinemas. In addition, seminars and health talks were organised for specific groups, including teachers, nurses, social workers and youths. Earlier in the year, workshops were also organised for doctors. Surveys carried out later indicated there was more public awareness of AIDS.

In April, the AIDS Counselling and Consultative Service, which provides assistance to people at risk of developing AIDS, was expanded with the addition of more telephone lines and an extension of hours.

The Surveillance Programme for infection by the AIDS virus, begun in April 1985, continued under the monitor of the Expert Committee on AIDS.

Blood screening for antibodies to the AIDS virus, introduced by the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service in August 1985, was maintained to prevent the possible transmission of the disease through blood transfusion.

Four cholera case were reported in the year, including two among Vietnamese refugees and one imported case. However, close surveillance on the disease and intensified health education and environmental measures were continued. There was no report of any other quarantinable disease.

An insecticide identified as methamidophos, was found in vegetables imported from across the border.

Four cases of animal rabies were reported in the New Territories, but there was no case of rabies in humans.

During the year, 106 cases of malaria were notified, most of them imported cases, with the most frequent source of infection from India, Vietnam and China.

An active surveillance programme) was undertaken on all notified malaria cases to minimise the possibility of a build-up of parasite density in the community. Through the Inter-departmental Co-ordinating Committee on Malaria Control, prevention and treat- ment programmes were co-ordinated. The combined efforts towards early case detection, vector control and health education were sustained. With the establishment of the Central Reference Laboratory for malaria, all positive slides of blood smears as well as 10 per cent of negative slides were routinely cross-checked for the presence of the parasite, thus assisting greatly in early detection and treatment of patients.

Tuberculosis remains an important disease in Hong Kong. In spite of continued diligence and a dynamic programme in the fight against the disease, there were 7 269 notifications during the year, representing a notification rate of 129 per 100 000. The local BCG immunisation scheme effectively covered some 99 per cent of the new born. Booster doses were also given to primary school children and to new immigrant children after an initial mantoux test. Death from tuberculosis dropped from 407 in 1986 to 405 in 1987 and the death rate dropped from 7.36 to 7.21 per 100 000.