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ˇ@ˇ@The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has urged the public to take proper anti-mosquito measures and stay alert to the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases amid further rises in ovitrap indices in some areas.
ˇ@ˇ@The departmentˇ¦s Pest Control Officer-in-charge, Mr Yuen Ming Chi, said today (August 2) that the latest area ovitrap indices (AOI) for July available for 12 other areas partly showed an upward trend, with the index of Sheung Shui rising to 68.5%, from 40% in June.
ˇ@ˇ@Other areas with AOIs over the alert level of 20% are Tai Po(61.8%), Yuen Kong (45.8%), Tuen Mun North(24.6%), Kwai Chung (25%), Mong Kok (24.1%) and Lai King (20.4%).
ˇ@ˇ@The ovitrap indices reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission.
ˇ@ˇ@"It is anticipated that indices for the remaining 19 areas, with results still pending, may also be higher than those of June," Mr Yuen said.
ˇ@ˇ@"In view of rising ovitrap indices, the inter-departmental anti-mosquito response mechanism has been activated in all 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.ˇ¨
ˇ@ˇ@From July 15 to 31, the department had conducted about 22,400 inspections, during which some 22,700 potential breeding places and some 3,400 breeding places were eliminated. A total of 80 prosecutions were made from January to July this year upon detection of mosquito breeding places.
ˇ@ˇ@ˇ§As Aedes albopictus can breed in very small water bodies such as surface channels, discarded containers and tyres all provide breeding grounds for mosquitos if they are not properly disposed of or maintained.
ˇ@ˇ@ˇ§The high temperature and heavy rainfall in the last two months also provide favourable conditions for mosquito breeding.
ˇ§The public must stay alert to the threat of mosquitoes and strictly observe all anti-mosquito measures as the ovitrap indices can rise drastically under the current hot and wet weather," Mr Yuen 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; fill up all defective ground surfaces and drill large holes in unused tyres.
"After rain and floor cleaning, they should remove water immediately instead of waiting for water to be evaporated," he said.
He also advised estate management bodies to keep the drains free from blockage and fill up all depressions to prevent accumulation of water.
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/Thursday, August 2, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:09
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