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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has urged the public to maintain proper anti-mosquito measures and to stay alert to the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases as the current rainy season is favourable for mosquito breeding.
A department spokesman said today (July 23) that the monthly average ovitrap index for June had risen to 20.7%, from 15.1% in May.
The ovitrap indices reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission.
All the 38 areas surveyed last month recorded positive ovitrap indices, ranging from 6.7% to 55.6%.
The spokesman said 18 areas had their readings equal to or above the alert level of 20%, with the area ovitrap indices of Tsing Yi and Happy Valley reaching 55.6% and 50.9% respectively.
¡@¡@"The inter-departmental anti-mosquito response mechanism has been activated in these districts. Government departments concerned, in addition to the regular weekly programme, have been stepping up mosquito control measures in specific areas and increasing the number of operations to contain the mosquito problem," he said.
As for port areas, the index also rose from 1% in May to 3.2% in June.
According to Hong Kong Observatory records, the total rainfall in June is 490.1 millimetres, about 30 per cent above normal.
"Although no local dengue fever cases have been detected so far this year, the number of imported cases have risen to 14 as at July 20.
"The public must stay alert to the threat of mosquito and strictly observe all anti-mosquito measures as the ovitrap indices can rise drastically under the current hot and wet weather," the spokesman said.
He said people should step up inspection of their home and surroundings 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.
"After rain, they should remove water from balconies, rooftops and courtyards immediately," he said.
The spokesman also advised estate management bodies to keep the drains free from blockage and fill up all depressions to prevent accumulation of water.
Travellers to Southeast Asia are also strongly advised to take the following precautionary measures when visiting areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases during the summer holidays:
* wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothes and long trousers;
* use insect repellent on exposed parts of the body when going out; and
* use mosquito screens or nets when the room is 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 pains. They should also inform the doctor of their travel history.
The ovitrap indices and information on anti-mosquito measures under Anti-mosquito Weekly Inspection Programme are available on the department's website (www.fehd.gov.hk) and through its hotline at 2868 0000.
The public 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/Monday, July 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:14
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