Press Release

Statutory notification of invasive pneumococcal disease with effect from January 9

7 January 2015

The Government will amend the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap 599) to include "invasive pneumococcal disease" (IPD) as one of the statutorily notifiable infectious diseases and the amendment will be gazetted under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 1) Notice 2015 on January 9 with immediate effect.

"In consultation with relevant professionals and academia, it is necessary to strengthen the capability for surveillance of IPD so that we can monitor the situation more accurately, thus leading to appropriate public health strategies to prevent and control the spread of IPD," a spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH) remarked.

Medical practitioners are reminded to stay alert for IPD cases and are required by law to notify the Director of Health of any suspected cases.

"We will issue letters to doctors and hospitals to inform them of the notification requirements," the spokesman added.

IPD is caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and there are over 90 serotypes of pneumococci. It may clinically present in various forms such as meningitis, sepsis or severe pneumonia which may be life-threatening. It affects persons of any age but the mortality rate is substantially higher for those aged under two and elders aged 65 or above. Patients with a history of clinical IPD, underlying illnesses or cochlear implants and the immunocompromised are at higher risk of severe IPD.

Pneumococci are commonly found in the nose and throat of healthy people, particularly in children. They mainly spread through droplets via coughing, sneezing, close contact with the patient or contact with materials soiled by the bacteria.

To prevent IPD, pneumococcal vaccination has been incorporated into the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme under the DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres for young children at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months of age. Moreover, pneumococcal vaccination was introduced into the Government Vaccination Programme and the Elderly Vaccination Subsidy Scheme for elders aged 65 or above.

However, the spokesman added, "As no existing vaccine can confer full protection and IPD can occur even in vaccinated individuals, members of the public, regardless of vaccination history, should observe strict personal and environmental hygiene against the infection."

The public should take heed of the following preventive advice:

• Keep hands clean and wash them properly; alcohol-based handrub is also effective when hands are not visibly soiled;
• Wash hands with liquid soap promptly when they are soiled by nasal discharges or sputum, for example, after sneezing or coughing;
• Cover the nose and mouth with tissue paper while sneezing or coughing;
• Always wrap nasal and mouth discharges with tissue paper. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
• Wear a mask when symptoms of respiratory tract infection develop;
• Maintain good ventilation in indoor areas; and
• Avoid attending crowded and poorly ventilated public places if feeling unwell.