Press Releases
Inter-departmental meeting to follow up on anti-mosquito work (with photo)
In light of the serious public health threat posed by mosquito-borne
diseases, the Government has been keeping up and strengthening its mosquito
prevention and control measures, and called on members of the public to
co-operate and attach importance to household and environmental hygiene with
a view to preventing mosquito breeding.
The Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mrs Cherry Tse, today
(March 24) chaired a meeting of the Anti-Mosquito Steering Committee (AMSC)
to review the effectiveness of measures taken by the relevant bureaux and
departments in tackling the mosquito problem. The AMSC also discussed ways
to enhance co-operation among different departments to intensify
anti-mosquito work.
"At present, there is no vaccine against dengue fever and the Zika virus
infection on the market, and hence, keeping the environment clean to
eliminate mosquito breeding and avoiding mosquito bites are the only ways to
prevent infection. In fact, in response to the high incidence of dengue
fever cases occurring in neighbouring areas, mosquito prevention and control
measures had been stepped up in the 18 districts continuously in the past
two years. As the Zika virus infection, which can also be transmitted by
mosquitoes, has recently aroused public concern, and Hong Kong will soon
enter the summer season, the relevant departments will further step up
anti-mosquito work," Mrs Tse said.
In monitoring the dengue vector, the Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department (FEHD) has since October 2015 increased the number of
surveillance areas with ovitraps for Aedes albopictus from 44 to 52. As for
the Japanese encephalitis vector surveillance programme, the surveillance
work which was first carried out in the relatively high-risk Yuen Long
district from April to October each year has since been extended to cover
Tuen Mun, North District, Sai Kung, Kwai Tsing, Southern District and Sham
Shui Po throughout the year. The FEHD will also pay special attention to
those areas which are prone to mosquito breeding, such as soil fill in rural
areas, and carry out inspections and take appropriate measures to prevent
mosquito breeding. In 2015, the FEHD instigated 61 prosecutions against
mosquito breeding in premises according to the Public Health and Municipal
Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), among which 29 involved construction sites.
In addition, the department’s professional staff will closely monitor the
mosquito management approach adopted by other places, including advances in
technology relating to the use of genetically modified mosquitoes to
eliminate mosquitoes breeding.
Other departments have continued to intensify their anti-mosquito work. The
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has stepped up the
inspections and mosquito prevention work in facilities under its management,
including country parks, Hong Kong Wetland Park and government wholesale
markets. The department has also taken steps to remind park visitors and
market tenants of the importance of adopting anti-mosquito measures, keeping
the venues clean and clearing stagnant water.
Having regard to mosquito breeding in construction sites, the Development
Bureau (DEVB) has reminded the contractors of public works sites to carry
out anti-mosquito measures in the construction sites. The bureau, through
contractors’ association, has also encouraged contractors of private
projects to actively participate in anti-mosquito work. According to the
existing regulatory mechanism, the qualification of the contractors on the
List of Approved Contractors for Public Works to bid public works will be
affected if they repeatedly breach anti-mosquito regulations. To further
encourage contractors to carry out mosquito prevention and control work, the
DEVB will consider strengthening the relevant penalty mechanism.
The Lands Department will step up the inspection of government land under
its control, and conduct cleansing work and grass cutting when necessary.
The department will also clear identified hillside illegal cultivation black
spots to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds, and send letters to
request short-term tenants to prevent and control mosquito breeding.
The Education Bureau and FEHD will jointly organise a seminar on the
prevention of dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases on May 6 in
order to enhance awareness in schools and disseminate messages on preventing
the spread of mosquito-borne virus in campus.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will continue to carry out
mosquito control operation in its venues, and step up the relevant measures
in individual venues according to the actual situation and need.
The Housing Department will publicise anti-mosquito messages through
posters, notices, and estate newsletters.
The Government Property Agency has tasked its property management agents to
continue to take appropriate anti-mosquito measures, including strengthening
inspections, preventing the accumulation and clearing of stagnant water,
cutting grass and applying larvicidal oil as well as stepping up the
publicity for mosquito prevention and control.
The District Offices will assist with the publicity for mosquito prevention
and control, such as distributing the relevant promotional leaflets and
items, as well as facilitating health talks, in order to arouse community
awareness and to promote participation in anti-mosquito work.
In light of growing number of Zika virus infection cases reported around the
world, the Department of Health (DH) will maintain close liaison with the
World Health Organization as well as overseas, neighbouring regions and
Mainland health authorities to closely monitor the latest developments of
Zika virus infection. The Alert Response Level under the Government's
Preparedness and Response Plan for the Zika Virus Infection has also
activated. The DH will continue to furnish the public with advice on
infection prevention, in the light of the latest prevailing circumstances.
Mrs Tse said apart from anti-mosquito measures adopted by various government
departments, the concerted efforts of the community are also important to
the successful implementation of mosquito prevention and control work.
She appealed to the public for enhanced efforts to inspect their homes and
surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds. Members of the public and
estate management bodies are well advised to keep drains free of blockage
and fill up all depressions to prevent puddles from forming. Should members
of the public come across mosquito-breeding spots that require attention,
they may report to the relevant government departments via 1823.
All local residents, be they in Hong Kong or travelling outside the
territory, should take precautionary measures to prevent infection by
vector-borne diseases, as well as vector proliferation. They are well
advised to wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothes and trousers, use
insect repellents over exposed parts of the body when staying outdoors, and
use mosquito screens or nets. Travellers returning to Hong Kong should seek
medical advice if they have symptoms such as fever, severe headache or
muscle and joint pain. They should also inform their doctor of their travel
history.
"The relevant bureaux and departments will maintain close communication with
each other and act in concert to fully implement mosquito prevention and
control measures. We also hope that the related sectors, especially the
construction sector, and the public will chip in and complement the efforts
made by the Government to eliminate mosquito breeding," Mrs Tse said.
Ends/Thursday, March 24, 2016
Issued at HKT 20:11
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