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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) reminds the public that they should continue their anti-mosquito efforts during the current high-risk rainy season.

Announcing last month's ovitrap indices today (August 12), the department's Consultant (Community Medicine) (Risk Assessment and Communication), Dr Ho Yuk-yin, urged the community to stay alert to the threat of dengue fever.

The indices reflect the prevalence of aedes albopicuts, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission, Dr Ho explained.

"The Monthly Ovitrap Index of July was 20.3 per cent, higher than the 16.8 per cent in June, but compared favourably with the 29.5 per cent for the same period last year," he noted.

On the district level, Dr Ho said Area Ovitrap Indices (AOI) recorded in 15 locations were above 20 per cent last month, compared with 11 locations in June.

"Although the ovitrap indices compares favourably with that of last year, an increase over last month's figure calls for sustained action," he said.

"We should not be complacent. There is still a chance that the figure may rise further in the next couple of months," he warned.

"Members of the public should, therefore, continue to keep up their anti-mosquito efforts and follow the mosquito prevention measures recommended in the 'Weekly Mosquito Inspection Programme' prepared by the FEHD.

"These measures include scrubbing vases and pot plant saucers at least once a week; proper disposal of containers such as soft drink cans or lunch boxes; clearing air conditioner drip trays regularly to ensure they are free of stagnant water, and drilling large holes in old tyres."

As Tin Shui Wai is the only location with AOI over 40 per cent for two consecutive months, Dr Ho said, the FEHD had already set up a special task force in June in a bid to improve the situation there.

"With the co-operation and concerted efforts of Government departments, private sector and the local residents, we believe that the problem can be resolved.

"By reducing the chance of mosquito breeding, local residents are in fact helping themselves to minimise the risk of a possible outbreak of dengue fever in their own community."

So far this year, 25 dengue fever cases have been detected in the territory, all of them were imported cases from Southeast and South Asia.

"Although no local case has been reported so far this year, the number of imported cases is the highest since the disease became notifiable in 1994, indicating that Hong Kong is still highly susceptible to another outbreak of dengue fever," Dr Ho explained.

In view of the rise in temperature globally and the existence of a hot and humid environment favourable to mosquito breeding, Dr Ho said dengue fever will remain a threat to people in the region.

He therefore urged the public to adopt preventive measures when visiting countries in the region, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers, applying insect repellent on exposed body parts, and using mosquito nets or screens in rooms without air-conditioning.

Everyone can pitch in by taking necessary preventive actions. People are advised to take the following precautionary measures before travelling to prevent mosquito breeding at home:

* To tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside their premises;

* To remove all unnecessary water collection and eliminate the sources;

* To change the water in flower vases and saucers of potted plants before travelling to prevent breeding of mosquitoes. The use of saucers should be avoided whenever possible;

* To properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquito from accessing the water, and

* Appoint a person to carry out the weekly mosquito inspection programme inside their premises should they be away over a week.

"We must stay alert as the situation may worsen quickly if not properly attended to. To protect the health of the public, the Government needs the continued support of individuals and organisations in the community to jointly eliminate the larval habitats," Dr Ho said.

He called on the public to continue to support the Government in its efforts to tackle the mosquito problem. He also reminded them of the importance of observing the anti-mosquito campaign slogan - "Eliminate stagnant water. Halt mosquito breeding".

A quiz game on mosquito prevention and control has also been organised for estate dwellers to promote their awareness and action in the local community.

To drive home the anti-mosquito message to as many people as possible, the FEHD has produced the message in multiple languages and uploaded it onto the department's website and telephone hotline. Ovitrap indices and advice on anti-mosquito measures are available on the website www.fehd.gov.hk and the hotline 2868 0000.

End/Tuesday, August 12, 2003

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