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    In view of the recent outbreak of human infection of streptococcus suis in Sichuan Province, and in order to better understand the threat of this disease to the Hong Kong population, the Director of Health, Dr Lam Ping-yan, today (August 1) added Streptococcus suis infection to the list of infectious diseases specified in the First Schedule to the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance (Hong Kong Laws Chapter 141).

    Legislative amendment will take place upon its publication in the gazette tomorrow (August 2).

    After in-depth discussions with Hong Kong expert team members in Sichuan, Dr Lam was convinced Streptococcus suis was the cause of the outbreak in the province. He further considered that there was no evidence to suggest human to human transmission of the disease.

    Since the infectious disease surveillance system was enhanced in May 2004, the Department of Health (DH) received a total of 11 reports of sporadic cases of Streptococcus suis infection.

    "Our surveillance needs to be strengthened to better understand the epidemiology of the disease in human population and the general pattern in Hong Kong.

    "The addition of Streptococcus suis infection to the ordinance concerned enables the application of the provisions of the Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation as and when appropriate," Dr Lam said.

    Regulation 4 of the Prevention of the Spread of Infectious Diseases Regulations requires medical practitioners to notify the Director of Health if they have reason to suspect the existence of any of the infectious diseases specified in the First Schedule to the Ordinance.

    Dr Lam reminded medical practitioners of the requirement to notify the DH any suspected cases of Streptococcus suis infection.

    With the addition of Streptococcus suis infection, a total of 31 infectious diseases are included in the First Schedule to the Ordinance.

Ends/Monday, August 1, 2005

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