Press Releases
Government appeals for community anti-mosquito efforts (with photos)
The Under Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia
Chan, today (September 8) inspected mosquito prevention and
control work in Central, and appealed to members of the
public to carry out preventive measures and avoid mosquito
bites.
The Chairman of the Central and Western District Council, Mr
Yip Wing-shing; the Controller of the Centre for Health
Protection of the Department of Health (DH), Dr Leung
Ting-hung; Assistant Director (Operations) of the Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Mr Fork Ping-lam;
and the Pest Control Officer-in-charge of the FEHD, Mr Lee
Ming-wai, also joined the inspection.
Professor Chan said, "Three local cases of dengue fever (DF)
have been confirmed in Hong Kong so far this year. As the
patients of the three cases all live in Central, we are
particularly concerned about the anti-mosquito work in the
district. The FEHD and the relevant Government departments
have already stepped up the anti-mosquito measures within
the activity areas of the patients, including collecting
samples of Aedes albopictus for laboratory testing to
ascertain whether they carry the virus, with a view to
tracing the sources of DF infection. The DH and the FEHD
have commenced comprehensive joint investigations to
ascertain whether the three cases are linked, with a view to
endeavouring to curb the possible spread.
"To prevent mosquito-borne diseases, including DF, Zika
Virus Infection and Japanese encephalitis, from spreading
widely in Hong Kong, mosquito prevention and control work is
our top priority. Relevant work has been carried out by
Government departments continuously. We will continue to
stay vigilant and co-operate with the District Councils to
conduct anti-mosquito work in the 18 districts over the
territory. In addition, community support and co-operation
are no less important in the effective prevention and
control of mosquitoes. Members of the public and the
relevant public and private sectors, especially the
construction industry, should strictly implement various
mosquito prevention and control initiatives to prevent the
spread of mosquito-borne diseases."
The Government urges the public to adopt anti-mosquito
measures properly in their home environment, including
inspecting their homes and surroundings. The public and
property management bodies should always keep drains free
from blockage and fill up uneven ground surfaces and
keyholes of manhole covers to prevent the accumulation of
stagnant water. When staying outdoors in Hong Kong or
travelling aboard, members of the public should take heed of
personal protective measures. They are advised to wear
light-coloured, long-sleeved clothes and trousers and use
insect repellents over exposed parts of the body. 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 a doctor of their travel
history.
Members of the public are reminded to make reports to
Government departments via the hotline 1823 if mosquito
problems are detected, and may visit these pages for more
information: the DF page of the
CHP and the DH's
Travel Health Service, the latest
Travel Health News,
tips for using insect repellents, the CHP
Facebook Page and
YouTube Channel, and the FEHD's
Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding.
Ends/Thursday, September 8, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:35
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