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The Anti-Mosquito Steering Committee (AMSC) held a meeting today (April 24) to review the effectiveness of existing anti-mosquito measures and dengue vector surveillance work.
Chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mrs Marion Lai, the AMSC comprises representatives of a number of policy bureaux and departments.
Noting that the Monthly Ovitrap Indices throughout 2013 were lower than the average indices of the past years (from 2000 to 2012), Mrs Lai expressed her gratitude to the policy bureaux and departments for their continuous efforts on mosquito prevention during the meeting.
Representatives of policy bureaux and departments briefed the meeting on their anti-mosquito work and strategies this year. The scope of dengue vector surveillance by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) in the community covered areas which are densely populated or frequently visited, or where local dengue fever cases have occurred in the past. As a measure to further strengthen the dengue vector surveillance, the FEHD introduced a quick test on dengue virus in 2014 with a view to facilitating prompt and efficient implementation of appropriate anti-mosquito measures. Apart from this, the FEHD also commenced Japanese encephalitis vector surveillance in September 2013 so as to monitor the situation with regard to Japanese encephalitis. The data thus gathered will assist the department in formulating the anti-mosquito strategy.
To ensure that anti-mosquito measures are taken promptly when the Area Ovitrap Index (AOI) of a particular area reaches the alert level of 20 per cent, the FEHD has introduced an ovitrap index rapid alert system targeting the management offices of residential premises, social welfare facilities and schools that are situated within the surveillance area. Under the system, when the AOI of an area is confirmed to have reached 20 per cent or above, subscribers to the system whose premises are situated within the surveillance area concerned will be notified immediately and advised to take the necessary mosquito preventive and control measures. In 2013, the FEHD extended this alert system to public utilities companies. The implementation of the system has generally been smooth.
In addition, the FEHD will continue to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds in public places and apply larvicides to stagnant water where appropriate, handle mosquito complaints promptly and take out prosecutions under the relevant ordinance against mosquito breeding. Furthermore, in the coming summer months, the FEHD will strengthen liaison with construction sites and private estate management companies regarding mosquito prevention work.
Other departments are also making sustained efforts to intensify their mosquito preventive and control work including strengthening publicity and education campaigns. Targeting commercial and individual activities that might easily come into contact with mosquitoes such as livestock farms, fish farms and recreational sites in country parks, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has asked the relevant management staff to enhance mosquito prevention work and promotion activities. The AFCD has also urged livestock and fish farmers to take anti-mosquito measures.
The Department of Health has strengthened its publicity and public education campaign to remind the public to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from vectors and vector-borne diseases while in Hong Kong and when travelling outside Hong Kong, and to prevent vector proliferation.
The Housing Department will step up publicity through posters, notices, and estate newsletters.
The Development Bureau has reminded site staff of public works sites to ensure that effective anti-mosquito measures are undertaken.
The Lands Department will continue to conduct grass cutting on government land sites under its control and clear identified hillside illegal cultivation black spots to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds. It will also send letters to request short-term tenants to prevent and control mosquito breeding.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will carry out mosquito control operations at its venues and step up inspection.
The Education Bureau will jointly organise with the FEHD a seminar on dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis vectors for school personnel in May. Schools will again be reminded to keep the school and the surrounding environment clean.
The District Offices will assist with the publicity for mosquito prevention and control, including distributing anti-mosquito promotional leaflets and items, as well as facilitating health talks.
The Government Property Agency will continue to remind its property management agents to take appropriate anti-mosquito measures at properties under its purview.
Mrs Lai encouraged members of the AMSC to step up their efforts to mobilise and encourage community participation in mosquito prevention.
"We need to stay vigilant throughout the summer months, when the weather, being warmer and damper, provides more favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. Only when all relevant departments, related parties, district organisations and members of the public play their part and work in close partnership can we deal with the mosquito problem effectively, thereby minimising the threat of dengue fever and other mosquito-transmitted diseases," she said.
Ends/Thursday, April 24, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:19
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