Press Releases

Proactive and sustainable approach to containing dengue fever

The Anti-mosquito Steering Committee (AMSC) today (May 14) endorsed a proactive and sustainable approach to containing the spread of dengue fever in view of the growing global prevalence of the disease as well as the occurrence of sporadic imported cases in Hong Kong.

The AMSC was formed last October to set strategies and directions for mosquito control in Hong Kong. The steering committee is chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mrs Carrie Yau Tsang Ka-lai, and draws its membership from various concerned bureaux and government departments.

In the meeting this morning, members reviewed the strategies and action plans to control the local mosquito population in the light of the latest surveys on the dengue vector and public awareness of the disease, a spokesman for the steering committee said.

On vector surveillance, the spokesman said the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) had put in place an enhanced surveillance system to gauge periodically the extent of mosquito problems in different regions within the territory.

The spokesman, quoting FEHD's latest survey findings, noted the Monthly Ovitrap Indices (MOIs) for the first quarter of this year were less than one per cent on average. Consistent with the seasonal pattern observed for the last three years, the breeding index went up to 11.4 per cent last month, which was far below the corresponding index for last April (30.2 per cent). A graph comparing the MOIs for 2002 and 2003 is attached.

"It seems that the concerted efforts of government departments and the community in eliminating mosquito breeding places over the dry season have produced some results. Thanks to the efforts of community leaders from the district organizations and professional bodies. There is of course no room for complacency in sustaining the mosquito control measures. We need to redouble our efforts before the peak breeding season around June/July," the AMSC chairperson Mrs Carrie Yau said.

Compared to previous years, the majority of the Area Ovitrap Indices (AOIs) were on the low side this April. Of the 38 surveyed localities, only eight areas -- Tai Po, Kennedy Town, Tung Chung, Kwai Chung, Lo Wu, Cheung Chau, Wong Tai Sin and Ma Wan -- were found to have AOIs exceeding 20 per cent last month, ranging from 21.7 per cent in Tai Po to 39.3 per cent in Ma Wan.

In this connection, FEHD and relevant departments have promptly mounted special control operations in the surrounding areas of Aedes-positive ovitraps while the steering committee has also asked concerned departments to intensify territory-wide anti-mosquito measures in addition to the locality-specific control operations.

Members of the steering committee will adopt wide-ranging measures to tackle mosquito problems, which include inspection for larval habitats, clearance of solid waste, removal or covering of containers, leveling of depressions, application of insecticides and larvicides, and installation of mosquito traps.

The major operational targets for the coming quarter are as follows:-

*Lands Department will conduct grass-cutting and rubbish clearance at over 600 identified black spots, clear 20 hillside illegal cultivation black spots, and maintain over 120 landscaped sites;

*Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will step up anti-mosquito inspection for all hiking trails, barbecue and recreational sites in 23 country parks and clearance of flowerpots, containers and rubbish in morning walkers' activity areas;

*In consultation with Clean Hong Kong Committees, Home Affairs Department (HAD) will identify rear lanes, private streets, and other environmental black spots in 18 districts for inspection and anti-mosquito operations during last week of every month;

*Housing Department will carry out weekly inspections at 155 estates and 60-odd construction sites under its charge to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds therein;

*Leisure and Cultural Services Department will conduct weekly anti-mosquito measures at all its venues, notably parks, sitting-out areas, playgrounds, beaches, swimming pools and tennis courts;

*Environment, Transport and Works Bureau will arrange weekly anti-mosquito inspection for all public works construction sites, and conduct regular inspection to road drains, roadside slopes and highways to eliminate mosquito breeding places;

*Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) will encourage school authorities to establish dedicated patrol teams to inspect school premises for mosquito breeding grounds and to identify major breeding sources in the vicinity of school compounds for eradication by other departments; and

*FEHD will continue to inspect all building construction sites once weekly and strengthen anti-mosquito measures in public places (not already covered by another department) commensurate with the ovitrap indices.

On community participation, a representative of the Department of Health briefed the steering committee on a territory-wide telephone survey with a sample size of 3,000 respondents on public awareness on dengue fever in the meeting.

The spokesman said: "While appreciating that the public are generally aware of the threat of dengue as well as the anti-mosquito campaigns launched by Government, members of the steering committee saw the need for re-focused or enhanced efforts on three fronts."

The areas requiring re-focused/enhanced efforts are:

*We need to impart more skills and introduce hands-on programmes to the public so that all sectors could take concrete and practical measures now that awareness has been heightened.

*We should reach out to certain target groups including public housing residents, unemployed and retired persons to disseminate information and help them to protect themselves.

*We need to raise public awareness of the penalty for mosquito breeding - the maximum penalty on mosquito breeding in one's premises is $25,000.

In this connection, the spokesman confirmed that HAD would seek to engage the community more in hands-on mosquito control operations through promotional activities at the district level while EMB would likewise work with schools to arrange more practical sessions on prevention of mosquito breeding. FEHD has instituted around 60 prosecutions against mosquito breeding since the beginning of this year.

The spokesman added: "We will step up publicity on the relevant statutory provisions, the enforcement actions taken by FEHD and the court rulings against mosquito breeding.

"The Administration cannot fight the dengue battle alone. Government control measures can produce the best results only if there are complementary community efforts.

"As media publicity is vital for sustaining public alertness to the risks of dengue fever and the need to take precautionary measures, more airtime will be allocated for broadcast of television and radio announcements in public interests (APIs) on dengue fever."

Since international experts have referred to the post-raining period as a golden time for mosquito proliferation, the spokesman called for conscious community-wide actions to eliminate outdoor larval habitats after torrential or prolonged rains.

End/Wednesday, May 14, 2003
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