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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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