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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (February 22) that the monthly average ovitrap index for January this year dropped to 0.1 per cent from 0.3 per cent in December last year.
"The public should keep up anti-mosquito measures and stay alert to the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases as mosquito eggs hatch easily in warm and humid weather," an FEHD spokesman said.
The ovitrap indices reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission.
Among the 44 areas surveyed last month, positive ovitrap indices were recorded in North Point and Tsing Yi, both at 1.9 per cent.
Starting from January this year, the Lek Yuen area in the New Territories has been renamed Yuen Chau Kok in order to indicate more precisely the locations under surveillance. The area under surveillance remains unchanged.
As for the port areas, the monthly ovitrap index for January this year dropped to zero from 0.1 per cent in December last year.
"Although the latest index level is low, the departments concerned will continue their efforts to maintain environmental hygiene in areas under their ambit to eliminate existing and potential mosquito breeding grounds," the spokesman said.
To heighten public awareness of the potential risk of mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis, the FEHD will continue to roll out a three-phase territory-wide anti-mosquito campaign this year. The first phase, which lasts for four weeks, will be launched next Monday (February 25) and run until March 22.
During the campaign period, relevant government departments and public bodies will strengthen mosquito prevention and control measures as well as publicity efforts in various districts.
"After Lunar New Year, people should properly handle or dispose of flowers or tangerines to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water in the containers that mosquitoes can breed in.
"They should also inspect their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, properly dispose of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drill large holes in unused tyres," the spokesman said.
He also advised the public and estate management bodies to scrub all drains and surface sewers, and to limewash them with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
They should also keep drains free of blockage and fill up all depressions to prevent puddles from forming.
The ovitrap indices and information on anti-mosquito measures under the Anti-mosquito Weekly Inspection Programme are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, February 22, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:01
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