Press Releases

ACEFH supports Government's strategies to combat mosquito problems

Members of the Advisory Council on Food and Environmental Hygiene (ACEFH) generally support the Administration's strategies to combat mosquito problems.

At a meeting held today (October 11), members of the ACFEH were briefed by the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau on the latest situation of dengue fever in Hong Kong and the Government's recent efforts to minimise the spread of the infectious disease.

Members underlined the importance of a comprehensive and sustainable strategy to control mosquito population in HK.

They particularly welcomed the Government's efforts in enhancing public awareness of the risk of dengue fever through high-profile publicity and educational steps; actively mobilising resources from the community and the private sector in a territory-wide mosquito campaign; and responding promptly to the recent cases by setting up a high-powered steering committee to strengthen inter-departmental co-ordination.

Members agreed that there should be no room for complacency, particularly in view of the global warming effects and the continual rise of mosquito population.

Noting that it was near impossible to prevent the emergence of sporadic dengue fever cases here, members said the Administration should keep up its momentum in combating the disease and mosquito problems to reduce the risk of a widespread outbreak in Hong Kong.

ACFEH member, Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, who is also a microbiologist from the University of Hong Kong, said: "None of the countries presently affected by dengue virus can completely control the yearly or bi-yearly outbreaks, hence the strategy taken by the Government should be a sustained effort on risk reduction by reducing the mosquito density and educating the public on the importance of personal protection against mosquito bites.

"The move towards a territory-wide mosquito control campaign is of utmost importance," he said.

Another member and Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Health Services, Dr Lo Wing-lok, also pointed to the importance of public education amongst members of the community in combating the mosquito-borne disease. He said: "Our concern is mass safety and prevention of massive outbreak by asking all sectors - government departments, non-governmental organisations and private sector - to join hands to keep our environment clean at all times."

Reaffirming the importance of a sustained community-wide effort to tackle mosquito problems, ACFEH Chairman, Dr Daniel Tse Chi-wai, said the Government should step up the publicity campaign. "The message should be firmly anchored in the minds of the public so that anti-mosquito efforts can be sustained," he said.

The ACEFH was established on January 1, 2000 with the responsibilities to advise on policies and community education programmes relating to food safety and environmental hygiene. It comprises 16 non-official members drawn from a wide cross-section of the community including medical professionals, biologists, veterinarians, academics, solicitors, businessmen and consumer representatives.

Friday, October 11, 2002