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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (January 22) that the monthly territory-wide ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus dropped from 0.9 per cent in November to 0.1 per cent in December last year, indicating that the infestation of Aedes albopictus in the areas surveyed stayed at a relatively low level and the infestation of the vector is not extensive.
"Among the 52 areas surveyed last month, positive ovitrap indices were recorded in three areas, ranging from 1.8 per cent to 1.9 per cent, with the highest in Tin Hau. As for the port areas, the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for December also dropped to 0.03 per cent from 0.3 per cent in November," an FEHD spokesman said.
"Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito which can transmit dengue fever (DF). Despite the relatively low level of December's monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus recorded, in view of the confirmation of two local DF cases last year and the fact that DF is still highly prevalent in neighbouring areas, and that a warmer and wetter winter this year is also favourable for mosquito breeding, the community must remain vigilant and work together with the Government in conducting anti-mosquito work. The FEHD and relevant government departments will continue to intensify their mosquito preventive and control work, as well as strengthen publicity and education campaigns. A city-wide thematic mosquito prevention and control special operation was conducted by the FEHD, together with other government departments, between October 19, 2015, and January 14 this year. Mosquito control work has also been enhanced during the year-end clean-up operation, which commenced immediately afterwards on January 15. The district offices of the FEHD will target areas which have drawn particular concern, such as public markets, cooked food centres and hawker bazaars, single-block buildings, streets and back lanes, common parts of buildings, village houses, construction sites, vacant sites and road works sites, and intensify mosquito prevention and control work at those places," he added.
"The public should also carry out anti-mosquito measures to minimise the risk of mosquito-borne diseases during the year-end clean-up before the Lunar New Year," the spokesman continued.
As Aedes albopictus breeds in small water bodies, the spokesman advised the public and estate management bodies 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. He also reminded the public to inspect their 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, and drill large holes in unused tyres. Members of the public are reminded to make reports to the government departments via 1823 if mosquito problems are detected.
The spokesman reiterated that effective mosquito control requires sustained efforts of all parties concerned. The community must work together with the Government to take effective mosquito control measures.
The ovitrap index is divided into four levels, reflecting the infestation level of Aedes albopictus. Level 1 (< 5 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito is not extensive in the area surveyed. Level 2 (5 per cent - < 20 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito is slightly more extensive in the area surveyed. Level 3 (20 per cent - < 40 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito exceeds one-fifth of the area surveyed. Level 4 (>/= 40 per cent) indicates that almost half of the surveyed area is infested with the mosquito. The Government will step up the scale of anti-mosquito operations according to the level of infestation as well as reports from front-line staff and the public.
Oviposition traps are set in 52 areas in Hong Kong for monitoring the breeding of Aedes albopictus, which is only one of the mosquito species commonly found in Hong Kong and is active only in the daytime. The index does not capture the activities of Aedes albopictus outside the 52 areas and it also does not measure the prevalence of other kinds of mosquitoes.
Moreover, travellers are advised to take the following precautionary measures when visiting areas where mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent during the Lunar New Year holidays:
* Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothes and trousers;
* Use insect repellents over exposed parts of the body when outdoors; and
* Use mosquito screens or nets when a room is not air-conditioned.
Travellers returning 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.
The ovitrap indices for Aedes albopictus in different areas and information on anti-mosquito measures are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, January 22, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:01
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