Press Releases
Public urged to stay alert to rising dengue vector activity
The Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food (Food and Environmental
Hygiene), Mrs Carrie Yau, today (September 4) urged members of the public to
step up anti-mosquito efforts and to take precautionary measures to prevent
infection when visiting affected areas, in particular Guangzhou, in view of the
recent increase in number of dengue fever cases in Guangdong Province.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health's (DH)
Principal Medical and Health Officer, Dr S K Chuang, said at a media session:
"We are aware of the situations of dengue fever in Guangdong and will continue
to liaise closely with the Guangdong health authorities for latest information
and to monitor the situation closely.
"In view of the frequent travel of people between Hong Kong and Guangdong
provinces and risk of imported cases which may cause local transmission,
travellers should be extra cautious when visiting the places.
Meanwhile, the CHP has issued a letter to doctors to update them the recent
Guangdong situation and remind them to promptly report suspected cases to CHP. A
sensitive surveillance system has been put in place to detect, report and
investigate all dengue cases in Hong Kong.
The travel industry has been informed about the dengue situation in Guangdong
and health information leaflets on the prevention of dengue fever are being
distributed to travellers at immigration control points.
Mrs Yau said: "Although the ovitrap survey results from January to July 2006 are
on the low side, there have been 24 imported dengue fever cases to date. We
should take on board the indicator of the potential threat of dengue seriously.
The public are urged to stay alert and to adopt anti-mosquito measures."
There were 49, 31 and 31 cases reported in 2003, 2004 and 2005 respectively.
Except one local case reported in 2003, all cases were imported cases for the
past three years.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will intensify its mosquito
preventive and control work in various districts, which include prompt handling
of mosquito complaints and stepped-up inspection to black spots to clear
potential mosquito breeding grounds and application of larvicides to stagnant
water where appropriate. Enforcement actions will be taken under the relevant
ordinance against mosquito breeding. FEHD will advise cross-border transport
companies to conduct mosquito prevention and control measures, and has enhanced
its surveillance and control work around port areas.
Various departments have been reminded to help eliminate mosquito breeding in
high-risk areas throughout the territory, including clearing potential
mosquito-breeding black spots in all public rental housing estates and
conducting grass cutting and site clearance to government land site black spots.
Works departments will continue to closely monitor the areas including slopes
that they maintain and rigorously enforce the contractual requirements on works
site cleanliness and tidiness upon government contractors.
Through its minor works and minor environmental improvement works programmes,
the Home Affairs Department (HAD) would carry out improvement works to
facilities maintained by the Department such as footpaths or drainage channels.
Types of works may include reconstruction of dilapidated drainage channels,
grass cutting, desilting, as well as clean-up of rear lanes. These works would
help prevent accumulation of water and eliminate breeding grounds, thus prevent
breeding of mosquitoes.
District Councils would also be encouraged to take anti-mosquito operations and
publicity campaigns in collaboration with the government's overall anti-mosquito
efforts.
"The Anti-Mosquito Steering Committee tasked to coordinate anti-mosquito
business from the centre has ensured that cross departmental efforts remain in
full swing. People should also take anti-mosquito measures including scrubbing
vases and pot plant saucers at least once a week, disposing of containers such
as soft drink cans or lunch boxes properly, filling in uneven ground.
"If any mosquito breeding grounds or potential breeding places are found, people
should take effective measures to remove them immediately.
"Only when all relevant departments, district organisations and members of the
public play their part and work in close partnership can we hold the mosquito
problem in check," said Mrs Yau, also Chairperson of Anti-Mosquito Steering
Committee.
Dengue fever is transmitted via the bite of an infective mosquito, and it is not
transmitted from person to person.
The best way to prevent dengue fever while visiting affected areas is to avoid
mosquito bites. Travellers to dengue fever endemic or epidemic countries are
advised to take the following measures:
* Wear light-coloured long-sleeved tops and trousers,
* Use insect repellent containing DEET on exposed parts of the body, and
* Use anti-mosquito screens or nets when rooms are not air-conditioned.
Travellers who fall sick after returning from endemic areas should consult
doctors promptly and give details of their travel history. The incubation period
is about three to 14 days, commonly four to seven days. Symptoms include high
fever, severe headache, eye pain, muscle and joint pains, nausea and rash.
Members of the public can call DH's 24-hour health education hotline on 2833
0111 or visit CHP's website www.chp.gov.hk
which provides useful health advice concerning the prevention of dengue fever.
For the latest information on infectious disease outbreaks in various parts of
the world and preventive measures against travel-related illnesses, members of
the public may visit DH's Travel Health Service Website
http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, September 4, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:08
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