Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ15: Dengue fever
Following is a question by the Hon Ng Leung-sing and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (October 16):
Question :
As over 10 cases of locally-contracted dengue fever have been reported since late August, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) a cross-border co-operation mechanism has been put in place to contain the spread of dengue fever; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(b) it has assessed if the existing medical system and other services in Hong Kong are able to cope with a surge in the number of dengue fever patients, and of the contingency measures drawn up to address this situation?
Reply :
The Government has been vigilant on dengue fever, which was declared a statutory notifiable disease since 1994. Investigation and prevention measures are taken for every notified case to prevent spread of the disease. The Interdepartmental Coordinating Committee (ICC) on Dengue Fever, set up in 2001 and comprising concerned government departments and the Hospital Authority, coordinates vector control, public education efforts and contingency measures to contain the disease. A Steering Committee comprising senior officers from relevant policy bureaux and departments was set up in October 2002 to oversee the policy, strategies and directions of the territory-wide anti-mosquito campaign and the implementation work of the ICC.
(a) Global prevalence of dengue fever has grown dramatically in recent decades, threatening the health of people in over 100 countries and territories, particularly in the Western Pacific Region. In view of the high volume of travel in and out of Hong Kong, there is a risk of the introduction of the dengue virus into Hong Kong from dengue endemic countries. Department of Health, therefore, maintains close liaison with the health authorities in neighbouring areas and overseas countries, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control in the USA to keep abreast of developments in communicable diseases worldwide and take precautionary and control measures as appropriate. Information on specific infectious diseases, including dengue fever, is exchanged with neighbouring countries and areas on a regular basis.
On the control of mosquitoes, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has established networks with overseas authorities with extensive experience on dengue vector control, in addition to the WHO. In view of the recent emergence of locally contracted dengue fever cases, FEHD will further promote the sharing of experience and knowledge with the international health community with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of mosquito control measures in Hong Kong.
(b) With the presence of the mosquito vector transmitting dengue fever imported from neighbouring areas, we expect to see sporadic local cases but with an effective mosquito control programme and surveillance system, it is our assessment that the likelihood of having an extensive outbreak will be low. We have an effective disease surveillance system involving hospitals, clinics and laboratories in the public and private sectors to monitor and control the spread of dengue fever. Adequate facilities and drugs are available to treat patients suffering from dengue fever. With early diagnosis and treatment, most patients can recover uneventfully. Contingency plans are in place to handle any upsurge in the number of patients.
End/Wednesday, October 16, 2002
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