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The Government will take vigorous and effective measures against mosquitoes to prevent the spread of dengue fever in Hong Kong.
Speaking after a special meeting of the Inter-departmental Co-ordinating Committee on Dengue Fever held this (September 23) afternoon, the Department of Health¡¦s (DH) Deputy Director, Dr P Y Leung, said territory-wide efforts on vector prevention and control would be strengthened by 16 Government departments.
"Active community participation in mosquito control and prevention against mosquito bites is the most effective control strategy to prevent the spread of the disease," Dr Leung said.
"At present, there is no evidence that the infection has gone beyond the construction site. Further investigation is continuing. So far no new confirmed cases are reported.¡¨
"As Hong Kong is surrounded by dengue-endemic countries, the public are urged to take precautionary measures against mosquito bites while traveling. This reduces their own risk of being infected and also reduces the risk of bringing the virus back to Hong Kong."
DH staff today took blood samples of about 100 workers of the construction site on Ma Wan for information gathering and disease surveillance.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) inspected Ma Wan daily and would complete a blitz round of construction sites in Hong Kong by tomorrow for vector prevention and control.
The FEHD today also took 43 prosecutions against construction sites and issued 20 warnings against mosquito breeding.
Dr Leung 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.
The Lands Department will step up inspection, clearance and grass-cutting at unallocated Government land sites to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will step up mosquito measures in country parks. Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will also step up anti-mosquito measures at their venues such as beaches, gardens and recreation and sports centres. Education Department(ED) will advise schools and Social Welfare Department (SWD) will advise elderly homes to inspect and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
The Information Services Department would step up broadcasts of TV and radio Announcements in Public Interests (APIs) on mosquito prevention and control.
The message was promulgated at the Public Enquiry Service Centres and Building Management Resource Centres of the Home Affairs Department, recreation and sports venues of the LCSD, District Lands Offices of the Lands Department, estate and management offices of the Housing Department, District Environmental Hygiene Offices and Education Centres of FEHD, and DH¡¦s General Out-patient Clinics, Maternal and Child Health Centres and Health Education Centres.
AFCD, ED, SWD and the Hospital Authority (HA) also contributed to the publicity and public education programmes.
Publicity and public education materials on prevention and control of mosquitoes including videos, VCDs, leaflets, banners and posters were produced and distributed by various departments.
The 21-year-old man admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital of confirmed dengue fever was in stable condition. Laboratory results to confirm two other suspected cases involving two construction workers aged 28 and 38 are still pending. As they did not have recent travel history, these two cases, if confirmed, would be local cases.
As for the suspected imported case involving a man who had recent travel history, Dr Leung said the case could be confirmed when laboratory results were available.
Special mosquito control measures had been deployed in the neighbourhood of patients confirmed or suspected to have dengue fever.
As at 3 pm today, DH hotline 2961 8966, operated since September 21, received a total of 300 calls.
Most of the calls were general enquiries. Eighteen callers, being 13 male and five female aged between 19 and 60, worked or lived on Ma Wan. Among them, two men aged 38 and 41 were referred to DH's regional offices for blood tests as they developed symptoms of fever earlier. They have recovered. None was admitted to hospital.
During a visit by DH staff to Ma Wan yesterday, blood sample was taken from a woman living there who claimed to have fever earlier.
Dr Leung called on persons working or living on Ma Wan since June 1 to call the hotline for enquiries and health advice. The hotline is manned by healthcare professionals from 9 am to 5 pm daily.
"A letter was being issued to all medical practitioners to inform them of the dengue fever situation and to solicit their support in early notification," Dr Leung added.
"Forums will be organised by DH and HA for them," he added.
Information on dengue fever are available at DH website http://www.info.gov.hk/dh and information on mosquito control at FEHD website http://www.info.gov.hk/fehd.
End/Monday, September 23, 2002
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