Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ14: Drug-resistant tuberculosis

Following is a question by the Ir Dr Hon Raymond Ho and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow in the Legislative Council today (October 25):

Question:

It has been reported that a new strain of highly drug-resistant tuberculosis has emerged and spread extensively across the world, posing great treatment difficulties. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(a) any cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis have been reported in Hong Kong; if so, of the percentage of such cases in the total number of tuberculosis cases; and

(b) the authorities have formulated any measures to prevent drug-resistant tuberculosis from spreading in Hong Kong; if so, of the details of such measures?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) The incidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) cases in Hong Kong can be traced back to the 1950s and the 1960s. Of all the cases of drug-resistant TB, multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) (resistant to at least two main first-line anti-TB drugs) merits our attention. Among MDR-TB cases, extensive drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) (resistant to first-line drugs as well as some second-line drugs) is currently a cause of concern for the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Generally speaking, both the number and percentage of local drug-resistant TB cases are on a downward trend. Drug-resistant TB cases currently account for about 10% of the bacteriologically-positive cases (i.e. cases where TB bacteria can be successfully cultured from patient's sputum) in Hong Kong (the percentage was 11.8% for 2000, and the provisional figure was 10.9% for 2005). In these cases, however, the bacteria is usually resistant to some first-line drugs only, and can be treated with other first-line drugs. The percentage of MDR-TB remains low at about 1% (the percentage was 1.2% for 2000, and the provisional figure was 0.6% for 2005). With a relatively low incidence (some 3 cases per year on average), XDR-TB has remained at around 0.1% in recent years.

(b) The Administration has formulated and implemented measures to prevent the spread of drug-resistant TB in Hong Kong. The measures include�G

(i) Effective treatment

Effective treatment is the best way to prevent the spread of TB in Hong Kong. Through "Directly Observed Treatment" (DOT), the Department of Health (DH) ensures that TB patients take medication regularly and complete the course of drug therapy so as to minimise the emergence of drug-resistant TB. Second-line drugs will be used in cases where there is resistance to first-line drugs.

(ii) Close surveillance

The DH keeps close track of the latest trend of TB in Hong Kong through its TB surveillance system and takes timely intervention where necessary to combat the disease. In addition, the Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory under the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, accredited by the WHO as a Supranational Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, can provide quality TB testing services, including drug susceptibility tests. The Laboratory supports the DH's work on treatment and surveillance.

(iii) Health Education

Our health education on TB prevention is on two fronts. On the one hand, we educate TB patients about the need to adhere to treatment courses, wear surgical masks in public places and observe personal hygiene. On the other hand, we enhance the public's understanding of TB and encourage them to stay healthy and strong by observing hygiene and adopting a healthy lifestyle through various prgrammes such as health education, professional TB manual, seminars and exhibitions, etc.


Ends/Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:27

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