*********************************************
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 26) reminded people to stay alert to the potential hazards of mosquito-transmitted diseases -- dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis (JE).
It also appealed to the public to step up anti-mosquito measures promptly in view of the approach of the hot and rainy weather favourable for the breeding of mosquitoes.
The FEHD's Consultant (Community Medicine), Dr Ho Yuk-yin, said the department's surveillance programme on prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission, found that the first 16 areas surveyed all returned with positive Area Ovitrap Index (AOI) in May. Two of them, namely Tsing Yi (36.5%) and Fanling (26%), had fallen into the alert zone of 20% to 40%.
"The inter-departmental anti-mosquito response mechanism has been activated in these two districts. Government departments concerned have strengthened inspections and stepped up efforts to enhance environmental hygiene conditions and eliminate existing and potential mosquito-breeding grounds," he stressed.
Another two areas with comparatively higher AOI were Diamond Hill (18.2%) and Kwai Chung (16.7%), while indices for the remaining 12 areas ranged from 2.2% to 14.8%, he added.
"It is anticipated that indices for the other 22 areas, where results of the survey are still pending, may increase significantly over those of April," he said.
On anti-mosquito measures, Dr Ho advised people to take heed of the following: inspect their homes and surroundings weekly 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; clear drains and surface channels to prevent blockage; remove stagnant water; fill up all defective ground surfaces and drill large holes in unused tyres.
On preventive measures against the JE vector, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Dr Ho advised that the following measures should be taken, especially in the rural areas:
* Wear long-sleeved clothes and trousers when staying outdoors after dusk;
* Use insect repellent on exposed parts of the body;
* Use mosquito screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned; and
* Ensure continuous water flow of water-logged fields by installing devices such as water pumps/ water gates and removing stagnant water regularly.
The 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.
People 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/Friday, May 26, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:53
NNNN
