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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has reminded people to stay alert to the potential hazards of mosquito-transmitted diseases.
The department's Consultant (Community Medicine), Dr Ho Yuk-yin, said today (September 21) the surveillance programme on prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission, found that 13 out of 17 areas surveyed so far returned with positive Area Ovitrap Index (AOI) in September.
"But only two of the AOIs were over 10%. They were Diamond Hill (19.1%) and Cheung Sha Wan (13.5%).
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"Indices for the other 11 areas ranged from 1.8% to 9.8%," he said.
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While results for the remaining 21 areas were still pending, Dr Ho reminded people to stay alert to mosquito breeding.
"Though none of the AOIs entered the alert zone of 20%, the indices rebounded in some of the surveyed areas. Our preventive measures should not be relaxed as the ovitrap indices may surge sharply in a short period of time.
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"Dengue cases are being reported in our neighbouring areas. There have been 24 imported cases of dengue fever reported so far this year.
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"Guangdong province, in particular, has seen a drastic surge in the number of dengue fever cases recently.
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"We are highly vulnerable to dengue fever, given the intense population movement between Hong Kong and the neighbouring areas," he said.
Dr Ho said the FEHD had enhanced its mosquito prevention and control work in various districts, especially the port areas. It had also issued letters to cross-boundary transport companies, reminding them to take anti-mosquito measures.
He appealed to the public to take heed of the following anti-mosquito measures: inspect their homes and surroundings weekly to remove potential breeding grounds; scrub vases and pot plant saucers at least once a week; properly dispose of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes; clear drains and surface channels to prevent blockage; remove stagnant water; fill up all defective ground surfaces and drill large holes in unused tyres.
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He also advised travellers to take precautionary measures when visiting areas infected by mosquito-transmitted diseases:
* Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothes and long trousers;
* Use insect repellent on exposed parts of the body; and
* Use mosquito screens or nets when staying in rooms that are not air-conditioned.
Travellers coming back from these places are advised to seek medical advice as soon as possible if they have symptoms including high fever, severe headache or muscle and joint pain. They should also inform the doctor of their travel history.
The ovitrap indices and information on anti-mosquito measures are available on the department's website (www.fehd.gov.hk) and through its hotline at 2868 0000.
People can also obtain information and health advice on dengue fever from the website (www.chp.gov.hk) of the Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection and its hotline at 2833 0111.
Ends/Thursday, September 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:52
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