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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)'s latest monthly territory-wide ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus showed that among the 44 areas surveyed in April, 24 of them recorded positive indices, which were 10 more areas as compared with that of April last year. This indicates there are more Aedes albopictus in the community and that breeding of the mosquito has become more extensive and active this year.
An FEHD spokesman said today (May 22), "The latest ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus, a kind of mosquito which can transmit dengue fever (DF), reminded us that anti-mosquito work should not be relaxed, or else Aedine mosquitoes could rapidly proliferate and seriously affect various districts. The community must therefore remain vigilant and work together with the Government to take effective mosquito control measures."
April's monthly territory-wide ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus rose to 2 per cent from 0.2 per cent in March, with the highest being in Tung Chung at 13.5 per cent.
"In view of the confirmation of three local DF cases late last year and the fact that DF is highly prevalent in neighbouring areas, and that the advent of the rainy season is conducive to mosquito breeding, we must continue to take proactive mosquito control measures so as to sustain our anti-mosquito work launched end of last year. Relevant government departments will continue to intensify their mosquito prevention and control work, as well as strengthen publicity and education campaigns.
"In addition to deploying additional manpower to anti-mosquito work, the FEHD will continue to conduct, together with other relevant government departments, the second round of an intensive mosquito prevention and control exercise across the city covering areas under their purview lasting for two weeks from next Monday (May 25). Through the exercise, actions will be taken to kill adult mosquitoes, clear stagnant water and conduct grass cutting to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds so as to enhance the effectiveness of mosquito control measures. For areas with indices reaching Level 2 (5 per cent - < 20 per cent), the FEHD, together with relevant government departments, will further enhance the abovementioned anti-mosquito work," the spokesman added.
"We must take resolute actions to eliminate mosquitoes. According to the breeding and life cycles of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito, after generations of breeding, can multiply into hundreds of thousands or even over a million mosquitoes in a month. Therefore we must remain vigilant as the situation will be irreversible once it goes beyond control," the spokesman said.
As Aedes albopictus breeds in small water bodies, the spokesman advised the public and estate management bodies to scrub all drains and surface sewers 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.
He also reminded the public to 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, and drill large holes in unused tyres.
The ovitrap index is divided into four levels, reflecting the infestation level of Aedes albopictus. Level 1 (< 5 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito is not extensive in the area surveyed. Level 2 (5 per cent - < 20 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito is slightly more extensive in the area surveyed. Level 3 (20 per cent - < 40 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito exceeds one-fifth of the area surveyed. Level 4 (>/= 40 per cent) indicates that almost half of the surveyed area is infested with the mosquito. The Government will step up the scale of anti-mosquito operations according to the level of infestation as well as reports from front-line staff and the public.
Oviposition traps are set in 44 areas in Hong Kong for monitoring the breeding of Aedes albopictus, which is only one of the mosquito species commonly found in Hong Kong and is active only in the daytime. The index does not capture the activities of Aedes albopictus outside the 44 areas and it also does not measure the prevalence of other kinds of mosquitoes.
The ovitrap indices for Aedes albopictus in different areas and information on anti-mosquito measures are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, May 22, 2015
Issued at HKT 21:34
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