Stay on guard against dengue fever
********************************** The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (October 10) reminded people to stay alert to the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases and maintain proper anti-mosquito measures.
Announcing the ovitrap indices for September, the department's Consultant (Community Medicine), Dr Ho Yuk-yin, said that although the monthly average ovitrap index stayed at a low level, there should be no slackening in mosquito prevention as the current weather was still favourable for mosquito breeding.
The ovitrap indices reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission.
"The monthly ovitrap index (MOI) for September was 4.4%, a slight rise from the 3.5% in August.
"Out of the 38 locations surveyed, 32 areas recorded positive Area Ovitrap Index (AOI).
"But only four of them were above 10% - Tung Chung (22.9%), Wong Tai Sin Central (11.7%), Sham Shui Po East (11.5%) and Wan Chai North (10.2%)," he said.
The monthly average index for the port areas rose slightly from 1.4% to 1.5%.
"The FEHD is continuing its efforts to fight against mosquito breeding. Intensive on-the-spot inspections are conducted, followed by elimination of mosquito breeding sources and application of larvicides to potential breeding grounds where appropriate," he said.
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People are urged to 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.
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Dr Ho also reminded travellers to Southeast Asia, where there has been a substantial increase in dengue fever cases, to take the following precautionary measures:
* Wear long-sleeved tops and trousers,
* Use insect repellent over the exposed parts of the body, and
* Use mosquito screens or nets when rooms are not air-conditioned.
Travellers coming back from these places are advised to seek medical consultation as soon as possible if they feel unwell, including high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, and inform the doctor of their travel history.
There have been 21 imported cases of dengue fever in Hong Kong so far this year.
Concerning the department's year-long JE vectors survey, adult Culex tritaeniorhynchus were recently collected in Kowloon City. However, no JE virus was detected in the specimens examined.
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.
People 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.
********************************** The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (October 10) reminded people to stay alert to the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases and maintain proper anti-mosquito measures.
Announcing the ovitrap indices for September, the department's Consultant (Community Medicine), Dr Ho Yuk-yin, said that although the monthly average ovitrap index stayed at a low level, there should be no slackening in mosquito prevention as the current weather was still favourable for mosquito breeding.
The ovitrap indices reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission.
"The monthly ovitrap index (MOI) for September was 4.4%, a slight rise from the 3.5% in August.
"Out of the 38 locations surveyed, 32 areas recorded positive Area Ovitrap Index (AOI).
"But only four of them were above 10% - Tung Chung (22.9%), Wong Tai Sin Central (11.7%), Sham Shui Po East (11.5%) and Wan Chai North (10.2%)," he said.
The monthly average index for the port areas rose slightly from 1.4% to 1.5%.
"The FEHD is continuing its efforts to fight against mosquito breeding. Intensive on-the-spot inspections are conducted, followed by elimination of mosquito breeding sources and application of larvicides to potential breeding grounds where appropriate," he said.
¡@¡@
People are urged to 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.
¡@¡@
Dr Ho also reminded travellers to Southeast Asia, where there has been a substantial increase in dengue fever cases, to take the following precautionary measures:
* Wear long-sleeved tops and trousers,
* Use insect repellent over the exposed parts of the body, and
* Use mosquito screens or nets when rooms are not air-conditioned.
Travellers coming back from these places are advised to seek medical consultation as soon as possible if they feel unwell, including high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, and inform the doctor of their travel history.
There have been 21 imported cases of dengue fever in Hong Kong so far this year.
Concerning the department's year-long JE vectors survey, adult Culex tritaeniorhynchus were recently collected in Kowloon City. However, no JE virus was detected in the specimens examined.
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.
People 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, October 10, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:35
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