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¡@¡@The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has urged the public to continue to adopt anti-mosquito measures and stay alert to the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases during the autumn season.
¡@¡@An FEHD spokesman said today (October 9) that the monthly average ovitrap index for September had dropped to 8.4%, from 13.7% in August, while that for port areas dropped to 0.2% from 0.6% in August.
¡@¡@The ovitrap indices reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission.
¡@¡@All the 38 areas surveyed last month recorded positive ovitrap indices, ranging from 1.8% to 19.7%.
¡@¡@The spokesman said Aedes albopictus could breed in very small water bodies. Surface channels, sand traps, discarded containers and abandoned tyres provided breeding grounds for mosquitoes if they were not properly handled.
¡@¡@He advised the public and estate management bodies to scrub drains and surface sewers, and limewash them with alkaine detergent compound at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs. They should also keep drains free from blockage and fill up depressions to prevent accumulation of water.
¡@¡@People should inspect 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 defective ground surfaces and drill large holes in unused tyres.
¡@¡@"After rain, they should remove water from balconies, rooftops and courtyards immediately," he added.
¡@¡@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).
Ends/Friday, October 9, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:00
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