*******************************************************
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has urged people to heighten their vigilance against mosquito-transmitted diseases and to step up anti-mosquito measures with the advent of the rainy season.
A department spokesman said today (May 14) that the monthly average ovitrap index for April had risen to 4.8% from 0.2% in March.
The ovitrap indices reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission.
Among the 38 areas surveyed last month, 25 of them recorded positive ovitrap indices, ranging from 1.7% to 25%.
¡@¡@He said readings in two areas fell into the alert zone of 20% to 40% - namely Yuen Kong (25%) and Kwai Chung (22.4%) in New Territories West.
¡@¡@"The inter-departmental anti-mosquito response mechanism has been activated in these districts. Government departments concerned have strengthened inspections and stepped up efforts to enhance environmental hygiene conditions and eliminate existing and potential mosquito-breeding grounds in addition to the regular weekly programme," the spokesman said.
¡@¡@"The department will also closely monitor the situations of other areas."
As for port areas, the average ovitrap index also rose slightly from 0% in March to 0.1% in April.
"Although the indices in April are low, preventive measures should not be slackened as the rainy season has already arrived and dengue cases are prevalent in our neighbouring places," the spokesman said.
Aedes albopictus can breed in very small water bodies. Surface channels, discarded containers, sand traps and abandoned tyres all provided breeding grounds for mosquitoes if they were not properly handled, he said.
He advised the public and estate management bodies to scrub all drains and surface sewers and limewash them with alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs. They should also keep drains free from blockage and fill up all depressions to prevent accumulation of water.
The spokesman said people should inspect their homes 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.
The ovitrap indices and information on anti-mosquito measures under the Anti-Mosquito Weekly Inspection Programme are available on the department's website (www.fehd.gov.hk) and through the 1823 Call Centre.
People can also obtain information and health advice on dengue fever from the website of the Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection (www.chp.gov.hk) and its hotline at 2833 0111.
Ends/Thursday, May 14, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:01
NNNN
