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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has reminded people to stay alert to the potential hazards of mosquito-transmitted diseases -- dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis (JE) - in view of the current rainy season favourable for mosquito breeding.
Announcing the ovitrap indices for May, the department's Consultant (Community Medicine), Dr Ho Yuk-yin said today (June 9) that the monthly average ovitrap index had risen from 4.9% in April to 10.3% in May. The index for port areas also rose from 0.1% to 0.4%.
The ovitrap indices reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission.
Dr Ho said indices for 16 areas released earlier found that two areas - Tsing Yi (36.5%) and Fanling (26%) - had their readings fall into the alert zone of 20% to 40%.
"Indices for the remaining 22 areas now available ranged from 2.3% to 15.5%."
Dr Ho said the ovitrap indices could increase further in the coming months. He appealed to the public to step up anti-mosquito measures promptly.
He advised people to take heed of the following measures: inspect 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.
"After rain, remove water from balconies, rooftops and courtyards immediately," he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Ho also urged people to stay alert to the risk of JE following confirmation by laboratory test results of JE virus in another batch of specimens of adult Culex tritaeniorhynchus.
The specimens were collected earlier during vector surveys conducted by the department in Yuen Long following report of a suspected JE case.
He said various government departments had strengthened inspections and mounted special operations in the vicinity to clean up the environment and remove mosquito breeding places.
Dr Ho advised that the following measures 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, June 9, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:30
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