The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (February 24) that the monthly territory-wide ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for January remained at 0.1 per cent as 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.
 
     "Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever (DF) and Zika virus. Despite the relatively low level of the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus recorded in January, in view of the fact that four local DF cases and two imported cases of Zika Virus Infection were recorded in Hong Kong last year and similar infection cases were reported in neighbouring areas where DF has also remained highly prevalent, and that Hong Kong's weather will turn warm and humid with the approach of spring which will be conducive to massive mosquito breeding in a short period of time, the community must remain vigilant and continue to carry out effective mosquito control measures," an FEHD spokesman said.
 
     "The FEHD and relevant government departments will continue to intensify their mosquito prevention and control work covering areas under their purview, and strengthen publicity and education campaigns to remind the public to stay alert against the potential risk of mosquito-borne diseases, including DF and Zika Virus Infection. The FEHD will conduct a three-phase Anti-mosquito Campaign this year. The first phase of the territory-wide Campaign, lasting for five weeks, was launched on February 13 and will end on March 17. During the period, mosquito control work has been enhanced by the FEHD and relevant government departments. The district offices of the FEHD have targeted 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 intensified mosquito prevention and control work at those places. The FEHD will, immediately after each phase of the campaign, conduct special territory-wide thematic mosquito prevention and control operations so as to enhance the effectiveness of the campaign.
 
     The spokesman said that among the 52 areas surveyed last month, a positive ovitrap index was recorded only in Tseung Kwan O South (1.6 per cent). As for the port areas, the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for January remained at zero as in December last year.
 
     As Aedes albopictus breeds in small water bodies, the spokesman reminded members of 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. He also advised 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.
 
     In addition, rural areas and the vicinity of shrubby areas are the natural habitats for mosquitoes, other insects and animals. Members of the public living in rural areas may install mosquito screens on windows and doors if necessary. Those staying in the natural environment should take appropriate personal protective measures against mosquitoes, such as avoiding staying in the vicinity of shrubby areas for a long time, wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and applying DEET-containing insect repellent. 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 the 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.
 
     As Aedes albopictus can transmit DF and Zika virus, oviposition traps are set in 52 areas in Hong Kong for monitoring the breeding of Aedes albopictus, which is one of the mosquito species commonly found in Hong Kong and is active only in the daytime. The index does not capture the activity of Aedes albopictus outside the 52 areas and it also does not measure the prevalence of other kinds of mosquitoes.
 
     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, February 24, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:30

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