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With the approach of the Lunar New Year, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) suggests that the public make use of the year-end clean-up to carry out mosquito prevention measures to prevent mosquito-transmitted diseases.
An FEHD spokesman said today (January 15) that the monthly average ovitrap index for December last year had dropped to 0%, from 1.6% in November, and for port areas had stayed at 0% as in November.
The ovitrap indices reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission.
"Despite the zero index levels recorded, preventive measures should not be relaxed as there are still reported dengue cases in neighbouring places," the spokesman said.
Travellers are advised to take the following precautionary measures when visiting areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases during the Lunar New Year holidays:
* Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothes and trousers;
* Use insect repellent on exposed parts of the body when going out; and
* Use mosquito screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned.
Travellers coming back from these places should seek medical advice if they have symptoms such as fever, severe headache or muscle and joint pain. They should also inform their doctor of their travel history.
"During the year-end clean-up, people should pay particular attention to small containers such as vases, saucers and trays as well as damp surfaces in depressions," the spokesman said.
"They should change water for plants, including flowers and tangerines for the festive season, clean the containers thoroughly at least once a week and leave no water in the saucers underneath the pots."
He also advised the public and estate management bodies to scrub all drains and surface sewers and limewash them with alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs. They should also keep the drains free from blockage and fill up 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).
Ends/Friday, January 15, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:26
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