Press Releases
Proactive measures taken to guard against mosquito breeding
The Anti-mosquito Steering Committee (AMSC), comprising representatives of a
number of policy bureaux and departments, held a special meeting today (July 26)
to coordinate government efforts and direct departments to take proactive and
strategic anti-mosquito measures to contain the problem.
Chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mrs Stella Hung,
the AMSC immediately reminded departments involving in mosquito control and
District Anti-mosquito Task Forces to strengthen anti-mosquito efforts at black
spots after learning the ovitrap indices in some areas collected by the Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) had risen significantly.
Following heavy rain, the weather became fine recently and the average
temperature remained above 30 degrees Celsius. This was highly favourable to the
proliferation of mosquitoes. As a result, the ovitrap indices in many areas were
on the rise.
Seven area ovitrap indices in July available had their readings above the alert
level of 20%, in which Diamond Hill reaching 70.9%. Others included Fanling
(54.5%), Cheung Sha Wan (41.4%), Happy Valley (36.4%), Kowloon City North (34%),
Tsim Sha Tsui (28.1%) and Wan Chai North (20.4%).
At the meeting, Mrs Hung learnt that the inter-departmental anti-mosquito
response mechanism had been activated. She urged the various District Offices to
step up their efforts to mobilise and organise community participation in
mosquito prevention.
The public were reminded to step up inspection of their home 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; 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, people should remove water from balconies, rooftops and
courtyards immediately. Estate management bodies should keep the drains free
from blockage and fill up all depressions to prevent accumulation of water.
"With the concerted efforts from the Government, local organisations, estate
management bodies and the public, we believe that the mosquito problem could be
tackled by staying vigilant at all times", Mrs Hung said.
All relevant departments will enhance cooperation and intensify their mosquito
preventive and control work, as well as strengthen publicity and education
campaigns. Measures included clearing potential mosquito-breeding black spots in
public rental housing estates, conducting grass cutting and site clearance to
government land site black spots, and mobilising members from the community to
take part in anti-mosquito activities.
Targeting commercial and individual activities which might easily come into
contact with mosquitoes such as pig farms, farms, fish farms, and outdoor
recreational venues, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD)
had contacted the relevant management staff asking them to enhance mosquito
elimination work and promotion activities. AFCD had also written to farmers
urging them to take anti-mosquito measures. Inspection on black spots would also
be stepped up.
The Department of Health had strengthened publicity campaign to remind the
public who would travel outside Hong Kong during summer holidays to take
precautionary measures.
The Housing Department had launched a large-scale anti-mosquito campaign in its
public housing estates and reminded the tenants to keep their home clean and
remove stagnant water.
The Development Bureau had taken contingency measures and reminded contractors
to step up inspection and anti-mosquito measures at construction sites. In
support of the actions of other departments, the Lands Department (LD) would
remove overgrown grass and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sources on
Government land. LD had also sent letters to request short-term tenants to
control and prevent mosquito breeding.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) would clean up planters and
places which were easy to accumulate water, step up inspection and strengthen
mosquito control work. LCSD had conducted more than 6,000 special anti-mosquito
operations since this year.
The Education Bureau would remind schools again to keep the school and the
surrounding environment clean.
The District Offices would work with the Clean Hong Kong District Committees and
relevant committees of the District Councils to step up publicity efforts in
mosquito prevention and control, including producing and distributing
promotional leaflets and anti-mosquito items, displaying banners, organising bus
parade and health talks as well as issuing advisory letters to community bodies.
District Officers would at the meetings of District Management Committees
discuss with FEHD and relevant departments coordinating cross-departmental
measures and actions in preventing and eliminating mosquito breeding.
FEHD will clear potential mosquito breeding grounds and application of
larvicides to stagnant water where appropriate. The department will also handle
mosquito complaints promptly and make prosecutions under the relevant ordinance
against mosquito breeding.
In the first two weeks of July, FEHD had conducted about 17,100 inspections.
During which some 14,100 potential breeding places and some 3,000 breeding
places were eliminated. A total of 64 prosecutions were made from January to
July 15 this year upon detection of mosquito breeding places.
Ends/Thursday, July 26, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:50
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