Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Leung Ting-hung has urged people to get immunised against preventable diseases.
Dr Leung made the appeal today to start World Immunisation Week 2015.
Designated by the World Health Organisation in the last week of April, the event promotes the use of vaccine to protect people against disease.
Dr Leung said immunisation significantly reduces disease incidence, disabilities and deaths worldwide.
The WHO said immunisation prevents up to three million deaths associated with vaccine preventable diseases, such as diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis and measles every year.
He said the world eradicated smallpox in 1980 and the Western Pacific Region eradicated poliomyelitis in 2000. The next target is measles.
Locally, the number of measles cases increased to 38 and 50 in 2013 and 2014 from 11, 12 and eight in 2010, 2011 and 2012. As of April 19, four had been recorded this year.
The centre urged parents to vaccinate their children against measles at one year old and at Primary One, and to keep immunisation records. Adults never infected with measles should also get vaccinated.
The centre will issue letters to doctors to remind them to advise children aged under one frequently travelling to the Mainland to get a measles vaccination.
It is also liaising with the Immigration Department to pass measles-related health information to foreign domestic helpers and their employers.
Letters to employment agencies through related consulates have also been issued to encourage domestic helpers to get a measles vaccination.
