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A spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said today (March 12) that the CHP had been closely monitoring measles activity in view of a recent increase of measles cases both in Hong Kong and in neighbouring areas.
In Hong Kong, the CHP's surveillance data showed that there had been an increase in measles infections since September 2013, and the rise was continuing this year. In 2013, a total of 38 cases of measles infection were reported, the highest annual number since 2009.
As of March 11 this year, the CHP recorded 16 cases of measles infection affecting five males and 11 females aged from 5 months to 40 years. Among the cases, nine were imported from the Mainland (four cases), the Philippines (three cases), India (one case) and the United States (one case).
Recently, an increase in measles cases has been observed in neighbouring areas such as the Mainland, Singapore, Japan and the Philippines. According to relevant health authorities, a total of 27 646 cases were recorded in 2013 in the Mainland, and the figures remained high with 6 161 cases recorded in the first two months of this year. Singapore recorded 67 cases in the first 10 weeks of this year, as compared with one case in the same period last year. In Japan, 119 cases were reported in the first eight weeks of this year, triple the figure of the corresponding period last year. In the Philippines, 1 163 cases were reported from January 1 to January 11, 2014.
The spokesman explained that measles infection is a highly infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It can be transmitted by airborne droplet spread or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons, and, less commonly, by articles soiled with nose and throat secretions. A patient can pass the disease to other persons from four days before to four days after the appearance of skin rash.
"Immunisation against measles is the most effective way to prevent the disease. Non-immune individuals are advised to consult their doctors about measles vaccination, which is usually given together with mumps and rubella vaccines," the spokesman said.
In Hong Kong, children are given measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at 1 year old, followed by a second dose at Primary One under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme. The coverage of MMR vaccination in Hong Kong is over 95 per cent at Primary One.
Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:
* Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
* Maintain good indoor ventilation;
* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
* Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
* Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
* Clean used toys and furniture properly; and
* Children with measles should be kept out of school till four days from the appearance of rash to prevent spread of the infection to non-immune persons in school.
Members of the public should consult doctors promptly if they develop symptoms of measles. Affected persons should avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially those with weakened immunity, pregnant women and infants.
For more information on measles, the public may call the 24-hour health education hotline 2833 0111 or visit the CHP's measles page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/24/31.html).
Ends/Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:00
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