Replies to LegCo questions
LC Urgent Q2: Measures adopted by Hong Kong in response to Zika virus
Following is an urgent question by the Hon Alice Mak under Rule 24(4) of the
Rules of Procedure and a reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko
Wing-man, in the Legislative Council today (February 3):
Question:
Over the past few months, thousands of newborn babies in Brazil were born with
microcephaly, which were suspected to be related to their mothers having been
infected with Zika virus through mosquito bites during pregnancy. It has been
reported that there is a trend of the Zika epidemic spreading across the globe.
Apart from European countries and the United States with Zika infection cases
reported one after another, the first confirmed case of Zika infection was
reported on the 19th of last month in Taiwan, which is close to Hong Kong. This
has raised concern among Hong Kong people that the Zika epidemic may spread to
Hong Kong at any time. In this connection, will the Government inform this
Council:
(1) of the immediate measures that the authorities have in place to prevent
imported cases of Zika infection; whether rapid tests are currently available to
detect if persons entering the territory have been infected with Zika virus;
(2) as it has been reported that Zika infection cases have been reported in
quite a number of popular tourist hotspots in Southeast Asia frequented by Hong
Kong people, including Thailand, Indonesia, etc., whether the authorities will
immediately discuss with the health authorities in those countries to establish
reciprocal notification mechanisms on the Zika epidemic; and
(3) as mosquito problems are relatively serious in quite a number of districts
in the territory, such as Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai, Tung Chung and Tseung Kwan O,
of the immediate measures taken by the authorities to prevent an outbreak of the
Zika epidemic in those districts?
Reply:
President,
As I have already introduced the background information on Zika virus, I will
not repeat here.
At the emergency meeting held on February 1, 2016, the World Health Organization
(WHO) declared that the relationship between Zika virus infection and the recent
cases of microcephaly in infants and other neurological disorders constituted a
Public Health Emergency of International Concern and recommended a series of
preventive and control measures.
Against the above background, my reply to the three parts of the question is as
follows:
(1) In response to the Zika virus infection, the Food and Health Bureau has held
an inter-departmental meeting with the Department of Health (DH), the Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Hospital Authority (HA), and
immediately implemented a host of measures.
First of all, statutory notification is an important element in disease
surveillance, prevention and control. To enhance surveillance of Zika virus
infection, the Government will publish in the Gazette the Prevention and Control
of Disease Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 1) Notice 2016 on February 5, 2016
to make Zika virus infection a statutorily notifiable infectious disease under
the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599) with immediate effect
on the same day. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH is to be
notified of any confirmed case for investigation and follow-up actions. The CHP
has sent letters to inform doctors and hospitals of the relevant legislative
amendments.
In addition, the DH has been reminding outbound travellers of the risk of Zika
virus infection since January 18, 2016 and advising pregnant women and women
preparing for pregnancy to take necessary anti-mosquito measures as a
precaution. I reiterate that, if not necessary, pregnant women should consider
deferring their unnecessary trip to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission.
Travellers should seek medical advice before the trip, adopt contraception if
appropriate and avoid mosquito bites during the trip, and should continue to
take protection measures such as applying mosquito repellent for 14 days after
returning from affected areas. If a female partner is at risk of getting
pregnant, or is already pregnant, condom use is advised for a male traveller.
Travellers should consult and reveal to their doctor their travel history if
symptoms develop. The Port Health Office of the DH has also stepped up port
health measures and enhanced risk communication with stakeholders and travellers
to reduce the risk of importing Zika virus to Hong Kong.
At present, the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch is responsible
for Zika virus testing. Application of the laboratory tests and experiment
results is to be jointly assessed by clinicians and microbiologists. Their
assessment will be based on the patient's epidemiological and clinical history
and the time interval from exposure to the vector to onset of symptoms or
seeking of medical attention. A report on preliminary positive/negative test
result can be issued within one day upon receipt of the test sample, while a
report to confirm diagnosis will take one more day.
(2) The International Health Regulations (2005) is an international legal
instrument binding on all WHO member states, including the People's Republic of
China, and it extends to cover Hong Kong. The CHP has been maintaining close
liaison with the WHO and health authorities of the neighbouring areas to closely
monitor the latest situation relating to Zika virus infection in overseas
countries.
Moreover, the CHP has been maintaining close communication with the health
authorities of Guangdong and Macao on the surveillance of Zika virus infection.
A teleconference has been held among the three places to further enhance the
notification and communication mechanism for exchanging information. The three
parties agreed to strengthen their co-operation on the prevention and control of
the disease and notify each other in case of any confirmed cases.
(3) FEHD will, in the light of the developments taking place in different
districts and the actual situation on the ground, adjust its surveillance
measures in respect of Aedes albopictus. This includes adjusting the coverage of
the ovitrap surveys or increasing the number of surveillance points. In Tin Shui
Wai, Yuen Long and Tung Chung, most of the areas where population flows
congregate such as large residential estates, hospitals and schools are already
covered by the ovitrap surveys. For the Tseung Kwan O district, a new
surveillance area (namely Tseung Kwan O North) was added in 2015. In 2016, FEHD
will implement the anti-mosquito campaign by three phases. The first phase is to
be launched from February 15 to March 18, 2016. To upkeep the effectiveness of
the campaign, FEHD will, immediately after each phase of the campaign, conduct
thematic operations (Note) across the territory to enhance the mosquito control
work in strategic areas. I have also reiterated the importance of this issue at
the meeting with Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of environmental hygiene committees
of 18 District Councils, hoping that they will complement FEHD's anti-mosquito
work.
Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to remind the public again that
there is no vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection at present. According to the
WHO, controlling mosquito breeding and avoiding mosquito bites are the most
important protective measures, especially for pregnant women, against the
disease. To prevent Zika virus infection, the public should take anti-mosquito
measures and eliminate mosquito breeding.
I want to reiterate an important point that we do not want to see any cases
where Hong Kong residents, who travelled to affected areas and were infected
with Zika virus through mosquito bites, are subsequently bitten by Aedes
albopictus in Hong Kong. It may infect the mosquitos in Hong Kong, leading to
secondary spread of the virus in Hong Kong. Therefore, the most important thing,
which is also relatively easy to be done, is that travellers should continue
taking protection measures, that is applying mosquito repellent for at least 14
days, after returning from the affected areas.
Note: The Campaign aims at enhancing public awareness of the potential risks of
mosquito-borne diseases, as well as encouraging the community and various
government departments to make concerted efforts and actively participate in
anti-mosquito work.
Ends/Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Issued at HKT 20:12
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