30 December, 2004
The Government is to step up surveillance of influenza by adding influenza A(H7) and influenza A(H9) to the list of infectious diseases specified in the First Schedule to the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance.
Legislative amendment will take effect upon publication in the gazette tomorrow (December 31).
The amendment is made in view of the rapidly evolving global situation with avian influenza, a spokesman of the Department of Health (DH) said today (December 30).
The World Health Organization held an influenza pandemic consultation meeting earlier this month and it noted that human infections with influenza A(H5), A(H7), and A(H9) have been occurring at increasing frequency in recent years, the spokesman said.
Noting that Influenza A(H5) has been included in the list of statutorily notifiable diseases since January 30, 2004, the spokesman said the strengthening surveillance of influenza A(H7) and influenza A(H9) in Hong Kong is in line with local and global public health need.
"This will enhance the coverage of our infectious diseases surveillance system, enabling more effective and early detection and the implementation of appropriate public health control measures when necessary," he said.
Under the Prevention of the Spread of Infectious Diseases Regulations of the Ordinance, medical practitioners are required to notify the Director of Health if they have reason to suspect the existence of any infectious diseases listed in the First Schedule to the Ordinance.
"The Centre for Health Protection of DH is sending letters to individual doctors informing them about the amendment," the spokesman said.
A total of 30 infectious diseases are currently included in the First Schedule to the Ordinance.