Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ12: Mosquito control
Following is a question by the Ir Dr Hon Raymond Ho Chung-tai and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (June 21):
Question:
It has been reported that as this year's mosquito problem in the territory is
expected to be more serious than in last year, the authorities have made a
funding provision of over $10 million for environmental improvement projects. In
this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the detailed use of the funds;
(b) how the Ovitrap Indexes recorded since January this year in various
districts of the territory compare with those of the same period last year; and
(c) of the measures adopted to alleviate the mosquito problem, and whether
special measures will be targeted at those districts which are particularly
affected by the mosquito problem?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) Through minor works and minor environmental improvement works programmes,
Home Affairs Department (HAD) carries out district improvement works which would
help prevent breeding of mosquitoes. Depending on local circumstances in
individual districts, HAD would carry out inspection and improvement works to
HAD facilities such as footpaths or drainage channels. Types of works may
include reconstruction of dilapidated drainage channels, grass cutting,
desilting, clean-up of rear lanes, etc. These works would help prevent
accumulation of water and eliminate breeding grounds, thus prevent breeding of
mosquitoes.
HAD would continue to assist in combating mosquito breeding problems in
districts through implementation of minor environmental improvement works
projects.
(b) The Monthly Ovitrap Indices (MOIs) recorded in the first few months of 2006
are slightly higher than those for the same period of last year. For instance,
the MOIs recorded in April and May this year are 4.9% and 10.3% respectively
whereas the MOIs for those months of last year were 3.4% and 9.9% respectively.
The average MOIs for the past 6 years are 16.1% and 24.8% respectively. The
Ovitrap Indices recorded in various districts of the territory in this year and
last year are shown in Annexes 1 and 2. A comparison of the MOIs of last year,
this year and the past 6 years is at Annex 3.
(c) Before the rainy season this year begins, the Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department (FEHD) has reviewed the effectiveness of the mosquito control work in
the past year for formulation of appropriate anti-mosquito strategies and
anti-mosquito operation plans. Close liaison is also maintained with the
relevant departments and organisations for them to take anti-mosquito actions
within areas under their remit. As the ovitrap index recorded this year is
expected to be higher than that of last year, FEHD has prolonged this year's
three-phased territory-wide anti-mosquito campaign as well as the other thematic
operations on mosquito control. Meanwhile, mosquito control is enhanced in the
infestation black spots of various districts, such as old tenements, the
peripheries of pig farms, waterlogged fields, village houses, unauthorised
farmland, construction sites and cargo handling areas, with a view to control
more effectively the breeding of mosquitoes. On the other hand, the Public
Health and Municipal Services (Amendment) Ordinance 2006, which came into force
on 12 May, has enabled FEHD to strengthen its enforcement action in dealing with
articles capable of causing accumulation of water. This serves to enhance the
effectiveness and efficiency of mosquito control work. Under the amendment
ordinance, if there is a mosquito-related health hazard in Hong Kong, FEHD may
apply for a court warrant to enter premises and take immediate action to
eliminate the potential mosquito breeding grounds as a preventive measure. The
amendment ordinance also stipulates that the management body of a property is
legally liable for mosquito breeding in the common areas of the building, and
shall be held responsible for the prevention of mosquito breeding and the
clearance of mosquito breeding grounds.
FEHD has deployed additional resources for mosquito control this year. Apart
from the in-house district mosquito control staff, additional roving
anti-mosquito teams with a combined strength of about 1 600 persons have been
contracted to enhance the mosquito preventive and control work in various
districts, inspect potential mosquito breeding places systematically, handle
mosquito complaints, remove discarded containers, eliminate stagnant water or
administer with larvicidal oil as appropriate, and take enforcement action under
the relevant ordinance against mosquito breeding.
In the event of serious mosquito infestation in a district, FEHD will
immediately convene the district anti-mosquito task force meeting. All the
relevant government departments, school authorities, management bodies of
residential buildings and private organizations will be invited to reinforce
their anti-mosquito preventive and control measures at once. The current
anti-mosquito strategies will also be reviewed for improvement so as to
safeguard public health.
FEHD has widely publicised the newly amended Public Health and Municipal
Services (Amendment) Ordinance 2006. In addition to issuing press releases and
Announcements of Public Interest on radio, etc, leaflets are published to
provide the public with the relevant information and the knowledge on mosquito
prevention so as to heighten their awareness of mosquito infestation.
Ends/Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:45
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