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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has reminded people to stay alert to the potential hazards of mosquito-transmitted diseases.
A department spokesman said today (October 16) that the monthly average ovitrap index for September had risen to 8.3% from 3.9% in August. However, the figure was lower than 15.6%, the average of the same month from 2000 to 2005.
The ovitrap indices only reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus , a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission. Other species of mosquitoes are not covered.
Among the 38 areas surveyed, 34 of them recorded positive Area Ovitrap Indices (AOI), ranging from 1.8% to 19.1%.
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The AOI of 12 areas exceeded 10% and the three areas with the highest indices were Diamond Hill (19.1%), Sham Shui Po East(18.2%)and Wong Tai Sin Central (18%).
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The index for port areas also rose slightly from 1.5% in August to 2.8% in September.
The spokesman said the department had closely monitored the situation of the ovitraps placed in different locations following complaints about suspected tampering of the devices.
"Ovitraps in some areas have been replaced and no abnormalities have been observed so far," he said.
He appealed to people to take heed of the following anti-mosquito measures: 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.
Meanwhile, the third phase of the Anti-mosquito Campaign ended on October 6. To sustain the momentum of the campaign, another large-scale thematic mosquito control operation will run from October 23 to December 1.
The operation will adopt a targeted approach focusing on enhanced mosquito control work at strategic areas including passenger and cargo/container terminals, village houses, old tenement buildings, cross-boundary check-points and other problem spots.
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/Monday, October 16, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:24
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