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The Department of Health (DH) and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (October 7) urged members of the public to take vigorous preventive measures against mosquito breeding following the confirmation of the first local case of dengue fever this year.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Consultant (Community Medicine) of DH's Disease Prevention and Control Division, Dr Thomas Tsang, said the case involved a 26-year-old man who had onset of the disease on September 27. Clinical symptoms included fever, headache, muscle pain, and skin rash.

The patient consulted a private doctor on September 30 and was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital on October 2. A blood test taken at Yan Chai Hospital was subsequently confirmed positive for dengue fever by DH's Public Health Laboratory Center. The patient is now convalescing at home.

"As the patient had not travelled outside Hong Kong during the incubation period which lasts from three to 14 days, this has been classified as a confirmed local case.

"The patient's family and workplace contacts who have been traced by DH are found to be asymptomatic. However, as a precautionary measure, we have put them under close medical surveillance," Dr Tsang said.

As part of the preventive measures, staff of DH and FEHD visited his residence in Yuen Kong Village, Yuen Long, as well as his workplace at Kwai Chung Container Terminal today for epidemiological survey and comprehensive mosquito control action.

The DH has set up a special hotline 2961 8966 for case finding, health advice and counselling. Persons who had stayed or visited Yuen Kong Village in Yuen Long and Kwai Chung Container Terminal on or after August 15 and who developed dengue fever symptoms within 14 days of the visit are advised to call the hotline. Dengue fever symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle pain, and skin rashes. The hotline is manned by health nurses and will operate from this afternoon until 9pm. It will be manned from 9am to 5pm from tomorrow until further notice.

DH is also sending letters to doctors and the medical profession to alert them of the occurrence of local dengue fever.

Also speaking at the press conference today, Dr YY Ho, Consultant (Risk Assessment and Communication) of the FEHD, said the government departments concerned had been working closely to make an all-out effort to prevent the proliferation of mosquitoes in the territory since the detection of local dengue fever cases last year.

"The FEHD has increased its manpower resources to tackle the mosquito problem. An extra 704 staff have been deployed to carry out anti-mosquito operations in various districts," Dr Ho said.

"Apart from the daily anti-mosquito operation throughout the territory, FEHD has launched the yearly territory-wide anti-mosquito campaign which was completed in three phases with great support from the public.

"Monitoring of mosquito breeding was strengthened by announcing the area ovitrap index on a monthly basis to update the public on the mosquito breeding situation throughout the territory.

"Besides, upon the advice of the World Health Organisation, FEHD conducted a high rise building dengue vector survey earlier this year to gain a better understanding of the mosquito breeding situation in residential blocks. The survey was the first of its kind in Hong Kong to better monitor mosquito breeding."

During the campaign period, roving exhibitions and health talks were held at popular public spots, schools and social service institutions to educate the public on preventive measures to guard against dengue fever.

Assistance was also provided by Area Committees and management of schools, housing estates and construction sites to run mosquito prevention and control programmes.

Multi-lingual anti-mosquito messages, including Japanese, Filipino, Indonesian, Thai, Sri Lankan, Nepali and Pakistani were uploaded onto the FEHD's website http://www.fehd.gov.hk to ensure that minority groups were taken care of in the dengue prevention programme.

"A number of publicity campaigns were launched by FEHD, DH, and the Information Services Department this year to alert the public to be on guard against dengue fever. Information on dengue fever was also disseminated to travellers via the travel industry."

"However, the risk of contracting dengue fever can only be effectively minimised should anti-mosquito measures be strictly observed by every member of the community," Dr Ho said.

He reminded members of the public to clear stagnant water in their homes and surrounding areas to avoid breeding of mosquitoes. They should:

* Put all used cans and bottles into dustbins with covers;

* Change water for plants at least once a week, leaving no water in the saucers underneath flower pots;

* Cover tightly all water containers, wells and water storage tanks; and

* Keep all drains free from blockage.

The public should also adopt the following preventive measures to protect themselves against dengue fever:

* Wear long-sleeved clothes and long trousers;

* Use insect repellent over the exposed parts of the body;

* Use mosquito screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned.

Information on dengue fever is available at DH website http://www.dh.gov.hk and information on mosquito control at FEHD website http://www.fehd.gov.hk. The public can also call the hotline of DH's Central Health Education Unit 2833 0111 to obtain health advice on the disease.

Forty-two confirmed cases of dengue fever have been reported in Hong Kong this year. Of these, 41 were imported cases and one was a local case.

End/Tuesday, October 7, 2003

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