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¡@¡@People should remain vigilant and take anti-mosquito measures to guard against dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis (JE).
¡@¡@The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department¡¦s Consultant (Community Medicine) (Risk Assessment and Communication), Dr Ho Yuk-yin, made the appeal at a press conference today (April 21) to launch the second phase of the Anti-mosquito Campaign 2006.
¡@¡@¡§We should stay alert to mosquito-transmitted diseases at all times, especially during the current warm and humid season, which is favourable for mosquito proliferation,¡¨ Dr Ho said.
¡@¡@The department conducts dengue fever vector surveillance at 38 areas in the territory to monitor the activity of the vector Aedes albopictus. Among the 16 Area Ovitrap Indices (AOIs) for April available so far, 10 areas have recorded positive indices.
¡@¡@¡§Among them, the highest AOI of 18.2% was recorded at Lai King.
¡@¡@¡§The other areas with comparatively higher AOIs are Diamond Hill (17%), Sheung Shui (13%), Yuen Kong (12.5%) and Fanling (11.5%).¡¨
¡@¡@Though the indices were still below the alert level of 20%, Dr Ho pointed out in March only three areas had recorded positive indices ranging from 2% to 2.9%.
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¡@¡@¡§The situation clearly reflects that the ovitrap indices may surge sharply in a short period of time. Any lapse in mosquito control could contribute to a rise in the indices,¡¨ Dr Ho said.
¡@¡@¡§Further upsurge is expected in the coming months. We will closely monitor the situation.¡¨
¡@¡@Government departments concerned will play an active role in tackling the mosquito problems under their respective jurisdiction and take effective measures to prevent mosquito breeding.
¡@¡@¡§We urge the community at large to pitch in and take anti-mosquito measures promptly,¡¨ he said.
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¡@¡@He advised people to inspect their homes and surroundings weekly to remove potential breeding grounds and take the following preventive measures: scrubbing vases and pot plant saucers at least once a week; properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes; clearing drains and surface channels to prevent blockage; removing stagnant water; filling up all defective ground surfaces and drilling large holes in unused tyres.
¡@¡@To guard against breeding of JE vector, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, the following measures should be taken, especially in the rural areas:
- Ensure continuous water flow of water-logged fields by installing devices such as water pumps/ water gates and removing stagnant water regularly;
- Inspect water-cultivation areas and animal farms frequently;
- Eliminate stagnant water in surface channels; and
- Remove water in containers for animals after feeding and cover the containers properly after use.
¡@¡@¡§The Anti-mosquito Campaign, aims to heighten public awareness of the potential risk of dengue fever and JE, while encouraging close partnership between government departments and community groups in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds.
¡@¡@¡§To facilitate action and straddle the summer months, the campaign period for the second phase is extended from six weeks to 10 weeks, running from next Monday (April 24) to June 30,¡¨ Dr Ho said.
¡@¡@Departments actively participating in the campaign include Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation; Architectural Services; Buildings; Correctional Services; Drainage Services; Environmental Protection; Government Logistics; Highways; Health; Home Affairs; Housing; Immigration; Labour; Lands; Leisure and Cultural Services; Marine; Social Welfare; Water Supplies; the Education and Manpower Bureau and the Hospital Authority.
¡@¡@More information and advice on anti-mosquito measures are available on the department's website www.fehd.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, April 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:05
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