*******************************************************
A territory-wide anti-mosquito operation to prevent mosquito breeding was conducted by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department today (June 21).
The large-scale operation, widely supported by District Councils, was mounted at some 1,400 department leisure and cultural venues and the involvement of more than 70 District Council and Area Committee members showed the concerted efforts to curb mosquito breeding.
At the launch of the operation at Tsing Yi Park this morning, department staff removed stagnant water from clogged channels, ponds, tree holes, bamboo stumps, flowerpots and other containers. They tightly covered all water storage containers to prevent the accumulation of water. The circulation system of fountains and ponds were inspected to ensure that they were working properly. And rubbish, including discarded bottles and tins, was disposed of in plastic bags which were then properly tied. Chemicals such as larvicidal oil were applied to stagnant water that could not be drained immediately so as to check mosquito larvae.
In conjunction with department staff, members of the Kwai Tsing District Council, Mr Lee Chi-keung, Ms Lo Wai-lan, Ms Tam Wai-chun, Ms Poon Siu-ping, Mr Chan Siu-man, and Chairman of Tsing Yi (South West) Area Committee, Mr Chan Chi-cheung, distributed leaflets to park-goers, urging them to keep places clean and report to the department any possible mosquito breeding grounds.
The acting Chief Leisure Manager (Passive Amenities), Mr Benjamin Hung, said that staff of the 18 districts were deployed to all department venues to carry out anti-mosquito measures at least once a week. A total of 4,475 special anti-mosquito operations and 5,334 special cleaning operations were conducted between January and May, 2006.
The department had installed more than 300 mosquito-trapping devices at more than 160 venues, he said.
"The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has also liaised closely with the Lands Department to identify vacant government land for beautification to reduce the number of potential mosquito breeding grounds. When we find places in the vicinity of venues such as construction sites which can be turned into mosquito breeding grounds, we will contact the owners or relevant government departments and request appropriate rectification action," Mr Hung said.
He urged people to work together to keep places clean to prevent mosquitoes.
"We will continue to educate the public on the importance of the prevention and control of mosquitoes through banners, posters, leaflets and videos in our venues. Roving exhibitions are also being held at selected sports centres, parks and cultural venues."
Ends/Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:52
NNNN