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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (June 21) launched a territory-wide operation against mosquito breeding at construction sites following the recent upsurge of the ovitrap indices.

A spokesman for the department said the blitz operation, which runs until June 25, targets construction sites in all districts.

"Departmental staff will step up inspection to the sites and take out prosecution when mosquito breeding places are found," said the spokesman.

"They will also request the site management to eliminate all mosquito breeding places and remove stagnant water at once to prevent mosquito infestation."

In today's operation, officers inspected a total of 127 construction sites, issued five written warnings and took out 10 prosecutions.

Under Section 27(3) of Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, an appointed contractor of a construction site will be guilty of an offence if larvae or pupae of mosquitoes are found in any accumulation of water on the site. The maximum fine under this law is $25,000, with a daily fine of $450.

The public are encouraged to report mosquito problems through the department's hotline at 2868 0000.

Ends/Monday, June 21, 2004

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