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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) conducted a joint operation with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (June 23) at Ngau Chi Wan Park and its vicinity to enhance the prevention and control of biting midges and mosquitoes.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, "In view of public nuisance caused by biting midges earlier and the fact that the summer weather is favourable for mosquito breeding, the FEHD conducted a joint operation with the LCSD in the aforesaid area to strengthen the preventive and control work against biting midges and mosquitoes."
LCSD staff today implemented anti-mosquito and biting midges measures in Ngau Chi Wan Park. These included the clearance of refuse, fallen leaves and other decaying vegetation on flower beds; pruning of densely grown plants; and carrying out insecticide fogging in areas inhabited by mosquitoes and biting midges. Additionally, FEHD staff carried out corresponding environmental control work in public places outside the park including clearing refuse, fallen leaves and other choking matter in sand-traps and surface drainage channels to reduce the breeding grounds of biting midges and mosquitoes.
"The species of biting midges found in Hong Kong are not documented carriers of human diseases. They are not considered important vectors of vector-borne diseases and they mainly cause nuisance to human beings. The World Health Organization has not published guidelines for systematic surveillance of biting midges. Other places like the Mainland, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore as well as countries in America and Europe have also not formulated any surveillance programmes for biting midges. The measures on control of biting midges taken by these countries are similar to those implemented in Hong Kong," the spokesman said.
The spokesman pointed out that the infestation of biting midges is seasonal and localised. Biting midge activities usually occur in scrubby areas with lots of decaying vegetation in the humid and warmer months each year. Specific environmental control actions in these areas, targeting at reducing the breeding places of biting midges, can effectively prevent them. Routine anti-mosquito work including fogging and environmental improvement measures carried out by the FEHD also help in the control of biting midges.
The FEHD will continue to monitor the infestation of biting midges and mosquitoes in public places through various channels, including regular inspection carried out by frontline staff and handling of complaints, and enhance its control measures when necessary. The FEHD has also advised the relevant government departments to strengthen control over biting midges and mosquitoes in areas under their management. Where the infestation occurs in private places, the FEHD can provide technical advice to the relevant parties that would help them carry out effective control measures.
The LCSD also spares no effort in taking mosquitoes and biting midge control measures actively at its venues. Cleansing of all venues by contractors is carried out daily to ensure proper disposal of all refuse and remove stagnant water. Special cleansing or anti-mosquito teams are also arranged in all districts to conduct one to two operations weekly against mosquitoes and biting midges, including the removal of fallen leaves, decaying vegetation and refuse on flower beds as well as choking matter (such as muddy soil) in sand-traps or surface drainage channels.
Moreover, LCSD staff will trim down dense vegetation and improve soil drainage or aeration, so as to reduce soil surface moisture, in a bid to prevent mosquitoes and biting midges from breeding. The department will also employ pest control companies as necessary to apply insecticide and install insect-trapping devices in places with active mosquitoes and biting midges to control the insects.
The spokesman added that the FEHD will continue to enhance relevant education and publicity work. As rural areas and the vicinity of shrubby areas are the natural habitats for mosquitoes and other insects, and biting midges usually rest in dense vegetation or shady places, members of public should avoid these places and environments, and take appropriate protective measures such as wearing light-coloured, long-sleeved clothes and trousers and using insect repellents.
To learn more about the preventive and control measures against biting midges and mosquitoes, members of the public may visit the FEHD website: www.fehd.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, June 23, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:41
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