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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has called on people to guard against measles, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, dengue fever, food poisoning and influenza as Hong Kong approaches the summer season.
The plea was made by the CHP's Medical and Health Officer, Dr Chung UPI-hong when he reviewed the recent infectious disease situation in Hong Kong at a press briefing today (May 26).
Dr Chung said there were signs of a seasonal increase in the number of measles cases this month.
"The increase is consistent with historical pattern of measles where the peak season usually occurs in May and June," he said.
Noting that there had been 17 cases notified to the CHP so far this month, Dr Chung said the key to preventing measles was to maintain up-to-date vaccination against the disease.
As for hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HF MD), the CHP has observed a moderate rise in the number of outbreaks recently, he said.
"The rise of HF MD in May is consistent with seasonal trends observed in the previous year," Dr Chung said, adding that three confirmed cases of Retrovirus-71 (EV-71) had been recorded so far this year.
As a preventive measure, the CHP sent letters to the management of child care centres and kindergartens in March to remind them to be on the alert of the disease.
Referring to vector-borne diseases, Dr Chung said the CHP attached great importance to the surveillance, prevention and control of dengue fever.
Even though there was no local case since 2004, 11 imported cases have been detected so far this year, an increase of five cases as compared with the same period of 2005.
"We always watch out for the possibility of local transmission especially during summer, when the mosquito vector for the disease is more active.
"The prevalence of the disease in some neighbouring countries reminds us that Hong Kong is vulnerable to dengue fever, given the high volume of travellers between Hong Kong and our neighbours," Dr Chung said.
He advised people to look out for potential mosquito breeding sites in their homes and eliminate them regularly.
Dr Chung also called on people to be on guard against food-borne infections as there may be an increase in food poisoning in the summer, especially bacterial cause.
As for influenza, Dr Chung said even its activity was currently not high in Hong Kong, members of the public should strictly observe personal and environmental hygiene to prevent infection.
"People should wash hands frequently, cover their noses and mouths with tissue paper when coughing and sneezing, and refrain from going to work or school and wear a facemask if they experience respiratory symptoms," he said.
Ends/Friday, May 26, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:59
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