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Members of the public are reminded to stay alert to the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases and maintain proper anti-mosquito measures.
Announcing the ovitrap indices for August today (September 12), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department's Consultant (Community Medicine), Dr Ho Yuk-yin, said that although the monthly average ovitrap index fell further from July, there should be no slackening in the fight against mosquito breeding.
The ovitrap indices reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission.
"The monthly ovitrap index (MOI) fell from 7% in July to 3.5% in August, the lowest MOI recorded in August so far.
"At the district level, none of the ovitrap indices stayed in the alert zone of 20% to 40%. Out of the 38 locations surveyed, 27 areas recorded positive area ovitrap indices ranging from 1.7% to 14%," he said.
The index for port areas also dropped from 2% to 1.4%.
"Though the figures show improvement, the situation is still volatile as the rainy season is not yet over.
"Moreover, many cities in Southeast Asia are plagued by dengue fever and we have recorded 16 imported cases so far this year.
"We therefore should spare no effort in eliminating existing and potential mosquito-breeding grounds," he emphasised.
The public should take the following preventive measures: scrub vases and pot-plant saucers at least once a week; properly dispose of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes; clear drains and surface channels to prevent blockage; remove stagnant water; fill all defective ground surfaces and drill large holes in unused tyres.
Regarding the recent local Japanese encephalitis (JE) case in Yuen Long, Dr Ho said adult and larvae Culex tritaeniorhynchus had been found in the district.
"We are continuing intensive anti-mosquito operations in Yuen Long, including larviciding and fogging," Dr Ho said.
Concerning the department's year-long JE vectors survey, adult Culex tritaeniorhynchus were recently collected in Lantau. However, no JE virus was detected in the specimens examined.
Dr Ho reminded people travelling to areas where mosquito-transmitted diseases prevailed to take the following preventive measures:
- wear long-sleeved clothes and trousers;
- use insect repellents over exposed parts of the body when staying outdoors; and
- use mosquito screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned.
The third phase of the Anti-mosquito Campaign 2005, launched in mid-August, will continue till October 8. Publicity activities are being held at territory-wide and district levels to arouse public awareness of the potential risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases.
The ovitrap indices and information on anti-mosquito measures are available on the department's website (www.fehd.gov.hk) and through its hotline at 2868 0000.
The public can also obtain information and health advice on dengue fever and JE from the website (www.chp.gov.hk) of the Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection and its hotline at 2833 0111.
Ends/Monday, September 12, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:22
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