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The Interdepartmental Coordinating Committee on Mosquito-borne Diseases (ICC) convened a meeting this afternoon (February 5) to update the epidemiology of Zika Virus Infection and dengue fever as well as territory-wide mosquito control actions.
"The meeting endorsed a co-ordinated response against mosquito-borne diseases among government bureaux/departments and organisations together with their contractors and stakeholders in mosquito control. All sectors of the community should be engaged so that the vector can be controlled in various settings including households, housing estates, construction sites, institutions and schools, the workplace, public areas and the environment with a view to preventing the possible breeding of mosquitoes before the warm season arrives," the Chairman of the ICC and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Leung Ting-hung, told the media after the meeting.
Highlighting certain anti-mosquito measures to prevent Zika Virus Infection, Dr Leung said, "As the World Health Organization recommends, the most important protective measures at present are mosquito control and the prevention of mosquito bites in high-risk individuals. We again appeal to the public, particularly pregnant women, to take personal protective measures. Those arriving from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival. DEET-containing insect repellents are safe and effective."
Today, 18 bureaux/departments and organisations attended the meeting. They are the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Architectural Services Department, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, the Drainage Services Department, the Education Bureau, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Environmental Protection Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Department of Health, the Highways Department, the Home Affairs Department, the Hospital Authority, the Housing Department, the Information Services Department, the Lands Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Social Welfare Department and the Water Supplies Department.
Ends/Friday, February 5, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:12
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