ENG-1988 — Page 180

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One imported case of human rabies was reported in a 29-year-old man. There was no case of animal rabies.

During the year, 98 cases of malaria were notified, most of them imported cases, with the most frequent source of infection from Vietnam, China and Africa.

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. The establishment of the Central Reference Laboratory for malaria also assisted in early detection and prompt treatment of patients.

There was an outbreak of measles early in the year. Epidemiological analyses of the cases showed that most had not received the anti-measles immunisation, confirming that the outbreak was due to the accumulation of susceptible cases.

Between January and July, over 3 000 cases were reported, reaching a peak in May with a monthly total of 1 179. Eight children, all of whom had not received the vaccination, died during the outbreak from the complications of measles.

Prompt control measures were instituted and included intensified health education and publicity on the importance of measles vaccination, utilising the mass media, printed matter as well as interpersonal counselling of parents. The recommended age of measles vaccina- tion was advanced to six months and five special vaccination centres were set up to provide vaccination or revaccination for children aged between 6 and 14. Inoculation teams visited kindergartens, child care centres and primary schools to provide vaccination to susceptible children.

The response to the efforts was satisfactory, and over 70 000 were vaccinated between the end of April and July. Notification of measles dropped from June onwards, and reached a normal level in early August, when the age of anti-measles vaccination was reverted to 12 months and the special vaccination centres were closed.

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 7 021 notifications during the year, representing a notification rate of 124 per 100 000. The local BCG immunisation scheme effectively covers some 99 per cent of the newborn. Booster doses were also given to primary school children and to new immigrant children after an initial Mantoux test. Death from tuberculosis dropped from 405 in 1987 to 388 in 1988 and the death rate dropped from 7.21 to 6.83 per 100 000.

Immunisation programmes against common childhood infections are carried out in schools as well as Maternal and Child Health Centres. Primary 1 and 6 school children receive booster vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis. In addition, girls in Primary 6 are given rubella vaccination. The coverage was up to 99 per cent.

To increase the protection of the at-risk group, namely women of child-bearing age, rubella vaccination is made available to nurses, teachers and social workers and other female staff in the government service. The vaccination is also provided for eligible women attending maternal and child health centres.

To reduce the long term effects of hepatitis B, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, the Hepatitis B Vaccination Programme was introduced in 1983. Under the present strategy, immunisation is given to newborn babies, and health care workers who are in frequent contact with blood and other tissue products, as they are at risk of contracting the disease. During the year, the vaccination programme was expanded to cover all new born babies.

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HEALTH