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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has urged the public to maintain anti-mosquito measures and stay alert to the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases during the autumn season as the still hot and rainy weather is favourable for mosquito breeding.
A department spokesman said today (October 17) that although the monthly average ovitrap index for September had dropped slightly to 9.8%, from 11.7% in August, people should not relax their vigilance.
The ovitrap indices reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission.
Among the 38 areas surveyed last month, 37 of them recorded positive ovitrap indices, ranging from 1.8% to 29.4%.
The spokesman said readings in three areas fell into the alert zone of 20% to 40% - Tung Chung(29.4%), Lam Tin (22.2%) and Tai Wai(20.8%).
"The inter-departmental anti-mosquito response mechanism has been activated in these districts. Government departments concerned have strengthened inspections and stepped up efforts to enhance environmental hygiene conditions and eliminate existing and potential mosquito-breeding grounds in addition to the regular weekly programme," the spokesman said.
"When collecting the ovitrap devices placed in Ho Man Tin for analysis, 15 out of 55 ovitraps were found to have irregularities and were suspected of being been tampered with. The incident is now being dealt with by the Police.
"As a result of the irregularities detected, no readings were taken from the 15 ovitraps, and the index for Ho Man Tin might not fully reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus there. Notwithstanding this, we have stepped up anti-mosquito work in the district."
While saying that no irregularities had been detected in other districts, the spokesman reminded people not to disturb the ovitraps, which were important devices that helped monitor the breeding of dengue vectors.
As for port areas, the index dropped from 0.6% in August to 0.2% in September.
Aedes albopictus can breed in very small water bodies. Surface channels, discarded containers, sand traps and abandoned tyres all provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes if they are not properly handled.
The spokesman said people should inspect their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds; 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; fill up all defective ground surfaces, and drill large holes in unused tyres.
"After a rain, they should remove water from balconies, rooftops and courtyards immediately," he said.
He also urged estate management bodies to keep drains free from blockage and fill all depressions to prevent accumulation of water.
The ovitrap indices and information on anti-mosquito measures under the Anti-Mosquito Weekly Inspection Programme 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 from the website of the Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection (www.chp.gov.hk) and its hotline at 2833 0111.
Ends/Friday, October 17, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:50
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