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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has urged people to stay alert to the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases and to maintain proper anti-mosquito measures amid the current warm and humid weather.
A department spokesman said today (April 18) that the monthly average ovitrap index for March had risen to 1.4%, from 0.3% in February.
The ovitrap indices reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for dengue fever transmission.
Among the 38 areas surveyed last month, positive ovitrap indices, ranging from 1.7% to 18.2%, were recorded in 11 areas, with the highest being reported in Lam Tin.
The index for port areas also rose from 0% in February to 0.3% in March.
"Although Aedes mosquitoes are rather inactive at the moment, preventive measures should not be relaxed as dengue cases are still prevalent in our neighbouring places", the spokesman said.
"We should stay alert to mosquito-transmitted diseases at all times. Any lapse in mosquito control could contribute to a rise in the indices," he said.
He advised estate management bodies to take the following anti-mosquito measures: scrub all drains and surface sewers and limewash them with alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs; keep the drains free from blockages and fill up all depressions to prevent mosquito breeding.
The spokesman said people should inspect their homes and surroundings weekly 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.
The ovitrap indices and information on anti-mosquito measures are available on the department's website (www.fehd.gov.hk) and through its hotline at 2868 0000.
People can also obtain information and health advice on dengue fever from the website (www.chp.gov.hk) of the Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection and its hotline at 2833 0111.
Ends/Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:52
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