Structure
Toxicovigilance Section has been established since 2007 under the Non-Communicable Disease Branch of Centre for Health Protection in the Department of Health, Hong Kong, China.
Roles and Responsibility
The main goal of the Toxicovigilance Section is to prevent poisoning. The section serves to enhance epidemiology surveillance for identification of poisoning risk in the community, the substances, circumstances and the population involved; and to strengthen investigation of poisoning incidents of public health significance so as to implement control measures in a timely manner.
Surveillance
With a surveillance mechanism in place to capture poisoning cases at all accident and emergency departments of public hospitals as well as to monitor local and oversea media reports regarding poisoning incidents, there will be a better understanding of poisoning risk in the community. Doctors can report cases of public health significance to CHP via Central Nortification Office (CENO).
Investigation
Upon receipt of notification of poisoning incidents of public health significance, investigation will commence immediately. Joint efforts from other services and government departments are often required during the investigation and implementation of control measures. The Government Laboratory provides a comprehensive analytical service to the Department of Health in the examination of drugs and poisons to facilitate the investigation of poisoning incidents.
Risk communication
Press release will be issued as appropriate on current health issues and concerns. Health education materials in the form of electronic publications entitled "Poisoning Watch", and fact sheets are uploaded onto the CHP website to keep the public and health professionals informed of the latest development.
Publication
Contact
For any enquires, please feel free to contact us at