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The government today (September 21) called on members of the public to be on guard against dengue fever by taking preventive measures against mosquito breeding and the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
The appeal was made following the detection of local cases of dengue fever in which three men working in a construction site on Ma Wan have suffered from the disease recently.
Speaking at a press briefing this afternoon, Consultant (Community Medicine) of the Disease Prevention and Control Division of the Department of Health (DH), Dr Tse Lai-yin said DH was closely monitoring the situation to prevent spread of dengue fever in the territory.
"We have been working with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) closely to make an all-out effort to prevent the proliferation of mosquitoes," Dr Tse said.
Persons working at the construction site or residing near the construction site on Ma Wan since June 1, 2002 and had symptoms like fever, severe headache, myalgia, arthralgia and rash. are advised to call a special hotline 2961 8966 set up by DH for health advice and counseling. The hotline, which starts operation this afternoon until 7 pm, will be manned from 9 am to 5 pm from tomorrow.
The first case involved a 21-year-old man who developed clinical symptoms compatible with dengue fever including fever, severe headache, myalgia, arthralgia and rash. He was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on September 14 and is now in stable condition.
The patient had not traveled outside Hong Kong during the incubation period which lasts from three to 14 days. His case has been classified as a confirmed local case.
Staff of DH and FEHD visited the construction site yesterday for an epidemiological survey and a comprehensive mosquito control action. 244 construction site workers were successfully interviewed.
Two of them, aged 28 and 38, were found to have symptoms of dengue fever in early September and blood specimens were obtained for laboratory test. Laboratory results showed probable results for dengue fever. As they did not have recent travel history, these two cases were classified as suspected local dengue fever cases. They have recovered from the illness.
Health advice was given and posters and pamphlets were distributed to the workers at the scene. The management of the construction site has also been reminded to keep a clean environment at the site. Other workers will be put under DH's medical surveillance.
At the same time DH staff also visited the 21-year-old patient's home and distributed questionnaires in his neighbourhood yesterday with a view to identifying if people living there had developed dengue fever symptoms.
"The risk of contracting dengue fever can be effectively minimized should anti-mosquito measures be strictly observed by members of the public," Dr Tse said.
Dr Tse reminded members of the public to clear stagnant water in their homes and surrounding areas to avoid breeding of mosquitoes. They should:
* Put all used cans and bottles into dustbins with cover,
* Change water for plants at least once a week, leaving no water in the saucers underneath flower pots,
* Cover tightly all water containers, wells and water storage tanks, and
* Keep all drains free from choke.
The public should also adopt the following preventive measures to protect themselves against dengue fever:
* Wear long-sleeved clothes and long trousers,
* Use insect repellent over the exposed parts of the body,
* Use mosquito screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned.
Dr Tse said a meeting of the Inter-departmental Co-ordinating Committee on Dengue Fever will be held early next week to step up inter-departmental efforts in territory-wide vector prevention and control.
To-date, 11 confirmed cases of dengue fever were reported in Hong Kong this (2002) year. Of these, 10 were imported cases and one local case.
End/Saturday, September 21, 2002
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