The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (June 29) that the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for May rose to 14.2 per cent from 1.8 per cent in April, indicating that mosquito infestation was slightly more extensive in the areas surveyed. The total rainfall recorded last month was about 31 per cent above normal, and the number of days with rain was 25 per cent more than that in April. The FEHD reminded the public to keep up effective measures against mosquitoes as the hot and rainy weather of summer is favourable for massive mosquito breeding within a short period of time.

     "Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever (DF) and Zika virus. In view of the fact that Hong Kong recorded this year's first local case of Japanese encephalitis (JE) this month and the first imported case of Zika Virus Infection in April, and reports of Zika Virus Infection cases continued in neighbouring areas where DF has also remained highly prevalent, and that the rainy weather of summer is favourable for proliferation of mosquitoes, the community must work with the Government to continue to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures," an FEHD spokesman said.

     Among the 52 areas surveyed last month, the Area Ovitrap Index (AOI) in 15 areas reached or exceeded the alert level of 20 per cent. They were Tseung Kwan O North (55.9 per cent), Kowloon Bay (50 per cent), Ma Wan (33.3 per cent), Tsing Yi North (30.9 per cent), Tin Hau (28.6 per cent), Tseung Kwan O South (27.4 per cent), Kwun Tong Central (26.2 per cent), Ngau Chi Wan (25.5 per cent), Sai Kung Town (24 per cent), Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay (23.6 per cent), Tung Chung (22.9 per cent), Lam Tin (22.2 per cent), Pok Fu Lam (21.4 per cent), Fanling (20 per cent) and Tsim Sha Tsui East (20 per cent).

     The spokesman said the FEHD is very concerned about mosquito infestation, and an inter-departmental anti-mosquito response mechanism has been activated in the above-mentioned areas for co-ordinating relevant departments and stakeholders to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures. In addition to the routine anti-mosquito programme, the FEHD has also cleared potential mosquito breeding grounds in the public places in the areas and applied appropriate larvicides to stagnant water if and when necessary. It has also handled mosquito complaints promptly and taken out prosecutions under the relevant ordinance against mosquito breeding. The FEHD set up four Pest Control Inspection Teams last month to step up inspections of construction sites and enforcement actions against mosquito breeding. In 2017 (as of June 16), the FEHD has instituted 43 prosecutions for mosquito breeding found in relevant premises under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), including 39 cases involving construction sites and four cases involving other premises.

     The government departments concerned have also stepped up inspections and measures to enhance environmental hygiene in areas within their ambits. The aim is to eliminate existing and potential mosquito breeding grounds.

     "Furthermore, relevant departments have individually notified the groups that had voluntarily subscribed to the ovitrap rapid alert system when the AOI reached the alert level of 20 per cent. Subscribers have been invited to post specially designed alert notices in the common parts of their premises to urge occupants and staff to take mosquito prevention and control measures promptly," the spokesman said.

     As for the port areas, the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for May also rose to 2.5 per cent from 0.5 per cent in April.

     "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, JE and Zika Virus Infection. The FEHD will conduct a three-phase Anti-mosquito Campaign this year. The second phase of the territory-wide campaign, lasting for 10 weeks, is under way. During this period, mosquito prevention and control work is being 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," he added.

     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 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.

     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 spokesman also reminded travellers to take the following precautionary measures when visiting areas where mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent during the summer 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 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 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.

     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/Thursday, June 29, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:38

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