The Acting Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi, convened an inter-departmental meeting this afternoon (August 20) to listen to the latest situation report and risk assessment by the Department of Health (DH), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Hospital Authority (HA) with regards to one confirmed local dengue fever case yesterday (August 19) and the mosquito control work in Wong Tai Sin and on Cheung Chau.
 
     Dr Chui said, "The Government will stay highly vigilant to contain the risks of the spread of dengue fever, and is very concerned about the new case yesterday. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH is currently conducting epidemiological investigations. In addition, the prevention of secondary spread of dengue fever as well as the carrying out of anti-mosquito measures by members of the public are equally important and both indispensable."
 
     He said, "The eradication of adult mosquitos, including those infected, can effectively lower the risks of dengue fever transmission. In respect of Cheung Chau, despite the numerous shrubs and hence difficulties in eliminating mosquito breeding problems, the government departments will spare no effort in conducting intensive mosquito control work on Cheung Chau. Members of the public should also carry out anti-mosquito measures themselves."
 
     In view of the ongoing investigation into the local case of dengue fever announced by the DH yesterday, the FEHD immediately stepped up targeted mosquito prevention and control work at the relevant districts in accordance with the established mechanism, and deployed staff to carry out inspections as well as prevention and control work including conducting fogging operations to reduce the number of adult mosquitoes, applying larvicides, clearing stagnant water and disused articles and conducting grass cutting to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds in areas within a 500-metre radius of the residences of the patients and the places visited by them during the incubation period. The FEHD also collected samples of Aedes albopictus for virus testing with a view to identifying the infection source of the dengue fever cases.
 
     Apart from two health talks held today, the CHP and the FEHD will hold a health talk at 11am on Thursday (August 23) at 1/F of Cheung Chau Municipal Services Building to deliver health advice. Moreover, members of the public can understand more about the details of the local cases and their geographical distribution at the dengue fever page on the DH's website.
 
     The HA has already activated the e-Dengue enhanced surveillance system to ensure real-time review of suspected cases and report to the CHP for necessary follow-up. In addition, the laboratory services under the seven hospital clusters have also been enhanced to provide rapid testing for dengue fever on a seven-day-a-week basis to facilitate clinical diagnosis. Mosquito control measures in public hospitals and clinics as well as their construction sites have been enhanced to eliminate every possible mosquito breeding site.
 
     The Government's inter-departmental Pest Control Steering Committee will again convene a special meeting tomorrow (August 21) to provide a platform for respective policy bureaux and departments to report to the Steering Committee the progress of anti-mosquito work in areas under their purview and better grasp the details of the latest cases, so as to enhance their anti-mosquito work and carry out corresponding measures immediately.
 
     As Aedes albopictus breeds in small water bodies, the Government reminded members of the public to strengthen mosquito prevention and control measures at home by inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, scrubbing vases and pot plant saucers at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. Members of the public are also advised to keep drains free of blockage and fill up all depressions to prevent puddles from forming. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
 
      Members of the public who have been to Lion Rock Park are advised to apply insect repellent for 14 days after their last visit as a mosquito preventive measure to safeguard the health of their families and themselves. CHP hotline: 2125 1122.
 
      The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the dengue fever pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the FEHD's Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding for more information.

Ends/Monday, August 20, 2018
Issued at HKT 19:40

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