Dr. York Y. N. CHOW
Secretary for Food and Health
3 June 2008
Explanatory Note
The object of this Regulation is to consolidate and bring up-to-date measures to prevent the introduction into Hong Kong of infectious diseases and to prevent and control their spread in or transmission from Hong Kong. (These measures were formerly in the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 141) and the Prevention of the Spread of Infectious Diseases Regulations (Cap. 141 sub. leg. B)). The Regulation also gives effect to the International Health Regulations (2005) promulgated by the World Health Organization.
2. The Regulation is divided into 13 Parts.
Part 1—Preliminary
3. Sections 1 and 2 provide for the commencement of the Regulation and the interpretation of the terms used in it.
Part 2—Notification of infectious diseases
4. This Part contains provisions to require information and the giving of information.
5. A medical practitioner must notify the Director of Health (“the Director”) of any cases of a scheduled infectious disease (a disease specified in Schedule 1 to the Prevention and Control of Diseases Ordinance (14 of 2008) (“the Ordinance”)). A health officer may require a medical practitioner to give particulars of suspected cases of a scheduled infectious disease or a disease caused by a scheduled infectious agent (an infectious agent specified in Schedule 2 to the Ordinance) (“specified infectious diseases”). (Sections 4 and 5)
6. The operator of a cross-boundary aircraft, vessel or public vehicle must notify a health officer of cases or sources of a specified infectious disease or contamination on board the aircraft, vessel or public vehicle and a health officer may require the operator of a point of entry or a cross-boundary conveyance to give information about cases or sources of an infectious disease or contamination in the point of entry or on board the conveyance. (Sections 6 and 7)
