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In view of the persistent hot and humid weather, members of the public should remain vigilant to the spread of mosquito-transmitted diseases like dengue fever and should spare no effort in the removal of stagnant water to curb mosquito breeding.
Meanwhile, refuse like small containers and disused tyres should be disposed of properly to avoid the accumulation of water, the Consultant (Community Medicine) (Risk Assessment and Communication) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Dr Ho Yuk-yin, made the appeal today (August 16).
He explained: "Hong Kong is under constant threat of dengue fever as its climate is highly favourable to the proliferation of mosquitoes, and the optimal temperature for mosquito breeding is between 25 to 30 degrees Celsius."
For example, the average temperatures for April, May and June are 24.6 degrees Celsius, 27 degrees Celsius and 28.8 degrees Celsius respectively.
Coupled with showers, the Ovitrap Indices, which reflect the situation of Aedes albopictus in Hong Kong, went up from 30.2 per cent in April to 34.2 per cent and 35.6 per cent in May and June respectively.
"Nevertheless, climate is only one of the contributory factors," Dr Ho said.
"The presence of containers, such as improperly disposed soft drink cans and lunch boxes, as well as the storage of water in open area also facilitate the growth of mosquitoes, in particular Aedes albopictus, which is a vector of dengue fever.
"Although the Ovitrap Index for July was dropped to 29.5 per cent and all cases of dengue fever reported so far are imported ones, we need to keep up our anti-mosquito efforts to further reduce the risk as the hot and humid weather is expected to continue in the next couple of months.
"Any laxity may open the gate for dengue fever, which is extremely difficult to eliminate once it has established its foothold in Hong Kong."
He called on the public to keep homes and surroundings clean by clearing accumulated water and disposing of refuse properly.
They should not store water along morning walk trails or Government land for irrigation.
In parallel, the FEHD will continue to conduct cleansing operations and prosecution actions to remove potential breeding places.
"To tackle the accumulation of refuse and illegal cultivation, which provide favourable breeding grounds for mosquitoes, 790 special operations were mounted between January and July this year and will be continued from time to time," added Dr Ho.
Between January and July this year, over 27,900 mosquito breeding places were eliminated and 2,433 complaints were handled.
On the prosecution front, 934 warnings were issued and 190 prosecutions against mosquito breeding were taken out.
"Any person found accumulating water containing larvae or pupae of mosquitoes on his premises will be liable for prosecution with a maximum fine of $25,000 plus a daily fine of $450 if convicted," he warned, adding that specially designed posters will be distributed to remind the public to remove stagnant water and dispose of refuse properly.
To report mosquito problems, the public may contact the FEHD's district environmental hygiene offices or through the department's hotline 2868 0000.
End/Friday, August 16, 2002
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