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The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, this afternoon (September 10) visited Sham Shui Po to view work to improve the environmental hygiene of the district under the "Keep Clean 2015@Hong Kong: Our Home" Campaign.
Dr Ko first inspected a rear lane near Pei Ho Street Market to learn more about the enhanced rear lane cleaning work conducted by staff of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) including pest and rodent control measures.
He noted that sole reliance on the efforts of government departments would not suffice to keep rear lanes clean and tidy. Shop operators and members of the public have the responsibility to work together with the Government, community bodies and the relevant organisations to keep the environment clean.
Dr Ko then proceeded to another rear lane in the district to familiarise himself with anti-mosquito work carried out by FEHD staff including clearing stagnant water and applying larvicidal oil with a view to removing mosquito breeding grounds.
"Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito which can transmit dengue fever (DF). DF has been remaining highly prevalent in neighbouring areas. As the latest government TV announcements pointed out that 'once infected, the risk of severe dengue is lifelong', we must remain vigilant and continue to implement effective mosquito control measures to prevent local transmission of DF," he said.
One of the objectives of the "Keep Clean 2015@Hong Kong: Our Home" Campaign is to enhance the awareness of members of the public in regard to their responsibility to keep up personal, home and community hygiene, in order to make keeping the environment clean an internalised routine, Dr Ko said after the visit.
Ends/Thursday, September 10, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:51
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