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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has reminded people to continue to keep anti-mosquito measures and stay alert to the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases, despite the recent cooler weather.
An FEHD spokesman said today (November 17) that the monthly average ovitrap index for October had dropped to 5.7%, from 8.4% in September, while that for port areas dropped to 0.1% from 0.2% in September.
The ovitrap indices reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission.
Of the 38 areas surveyed last month, positive ovitrap indices, ranging from 1.8% to 14.8%, were recorded in 34 areas, with the highest in Sheung Shui.
"Although the indices for October are lower than those for September, preventive measures should not be relaxed as dengue cases are still recorded in our neighbouring places," the spokesman said.
The spokesman said Aedes albopictus could breed in very small water bodies. Surface channels, sand traps, discarded containers and abandoned tyres provided breeding grounds for mosquitoes if they were not properly handled.
He advised the public and estate management bodies to scrub 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 depressions to prevent accumulation of water.
The spokesman reminded the public of the need to carry out anti-mosquito measures, including inspecting homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, 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, filling up defective ground surfaces and drilling 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).
Ends/Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:01
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