Press Releases
Proactive measures taken to curb mosquito breeding
The Anti-Mosquito Steering Committee (AMSC) held a meeting today (June 7) to
review the effectiveness of existing anti-mosquito measures and dengue
vector surveillance work.
The AMSC is chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food),
Mrs Marion Lai, and comprises representatives of a number of policy bureaux
and departments.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been strengthening
dengue vector surveillance. Starting from January this year, the department
has expanded the scope of the dengue vector surveillance programme to cover
a number of densely populated or frequently visited areas as well as those
areas where dengue fever cases have occurred in the past. The newly covered
areas are Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho; Hung
Hom; Sheung Kwai Chung; So Kwun Wat and Sai Kung Town. As a result of this
extension, a total of 44 areas are currently covered under the surveillance
programme.
To ensure anti-mosquito measures are taken promptly when the Area Ovitrap
Index (AOI) of a particular area reaches the alert level of 20%, the FEHD
introduced an ovitrap rapid alert system in April this year. The system's
target groups include the management offices of residential premises, social
welfare facilities and schools that are situated within the surveillance
areas. Groups may also subscribe to the system voluntarily. Parties who are
interested in subscribing to the rapid alert system can call respective FEHD
District Environmental Hygiene Offices. Whenever the AOI reaches 20%,
subscribers to the system whose premises are situated within the
surveillance area concerned will be individually notified by the relevant
departments upon the publication of the AOI. Subscribers will be invited to
post up specially designed alert notices (see Annex) in commonly used parts
of their premises to draw the attention of occupants and staff to take
mosquito preventive and control measures promptly. Additionally, the FEHD
will clear potential mosquito breeding grounds in public places and apply
larvicides to stagnant water where appropriate, handle mosquito complaints
promptly and take out prosecutions under the relevant ordinance against
mosquito breeding.
Other departments have also continued to intensify their mosquito preventive
and control work, as well as strengthen publicity and education campaigns.
Measures include clearing potential mosquito-breeding grounds in public
rental housing estates, conducting grass cutting and site clearance to
government land site blackspots, and mobilising members of the community to
take part in anti-mosquito activities.
Targeting commercial and individual activities that might easily come into
contact with mosquitoes such as livestock farms, fish farms and recreational
sites in country parks, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department (AFCD) has asked the relevant management staff to enhance
mosquito prevention work and promotion activities. The AFCD has also written
to farmers urging them to take anti-mosquito measures. Inspection of
blackspots would also be stepped up.
The Department of Health has strengthened its publicity campaign to remind
those who travel outside Hong Kong to take precautionary measures.
The Housing Department will step up publicity through posters, notices,
leaflets and estate newsletters.
The Development Bureau has reminded site staff to ensure effective
anti-mosquito measures are undertaken at construction sites.
The Lands Department will conduct grass cutting on government land sites
under its control and clear identified hillside illegal cultivation
blackspots to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds. It will also
send letters to request short-term tenants to prevent and control mosquito
breeding.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will carry out mosquito control
operations at its venues and step up inspection.
The Education Bureau has jointly organised with the FEHD a seminar on dengue
fever and Japanese encephalitis vectors for school personnel. Schools were
reminded again to keep the school and the surrounding environment clean.
The District Offices will assist with the publicity for mosquito prevention
and control, including distributing anti-mosquito promotional leaflets and
items, as well as facilitating health talks.
The Government Property Agency will remind its property management agents to
take necessary anti-mosquito measures at properties under its purview.
Expressing her gratitude for their continuous efforts in mosquito
prevention, Mrs Lai encouraged members of the AMSC to step up their efforts
to mobilise and organise more community participation in mosquito
prevention. "We need to stay vigilant throughout the summer months.
Concerted effort from the Government, local organisations, estate management
bodies and the public is crucial to the effectiveness of mosquito control
work," she said.
Ends/Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:53
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