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00The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 10) urged people to step up anti-mosquito efforts amid increasing activity of the dengue vector in some areas.
00Announcing the ovitrap indices for April, the department's Consultant (Community Medicine), Dr Ho Yuk-yin, said today that the monthly average ovitrap index (MOI) had risen from 0.2% in March to 4.9% in April.
00The ovitrap indices reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission.
00At the district level, of the 38 locations surveyed last month, 31 areas have recorded positive indices. The Area Ovitrap Index (AOI) of six areas exceeded 10%, including Lai King (18.2%), Diamond Hill (17%), Wong Tai Sin Central (13%), Sheung Shui (13%), Yuen Kong (12.5%) and Fanling (11.5%).
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00The index for port areas also rose slightly from 0% in March to 0.1% in April.
00"Although the ovitrap indices were still below the alert level of 20%, our preventive measures cannot be relaxed," Dr Ho said.
00He warned that the ovitrap indices might rise sharply next month, especially as the weather became warmer and damper, providing more favourable conditions for mosquito breeding.
00"People should therefore stay alert and adopt anti-mosquito measures. Eliminating the accumulation of stagnant water is the most effective way to prevent mosquito breeding.
00"People should pay attention to small containers such as vases, saucers and trays under their air-conditioning units. These are all favourable places for mosquitoes to lay eggs.
00"Edges and sides of water containers, vases and saucers should be scrubbed and cleaned with household detergent at least once a week," he said.
00"Drains and surface sewers should be scrubbed and limewashed with alkaline detergent compound at least once a week. The drains should be kept free from blockages and all depressions should be filled."
00The ovitrap indices and information on anti-mosquito measures are available on the department's website (www.fehd.gov.hk) and through its hotline at 2868 0000.
00People can also obtain information and health advice on dengue fever from the website (www.chp.gov.hk) of the Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection and its hotline at 2833 0111.
Ends/Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:30
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