The preparation of Hong Kong's defences against dengue fever moves indoors next week, when a pilot study is launched to measure mosquito prevalence inside 75 residential buildings.
The study, which is part of the government's campaign to combat mosquito breeding, will indicate the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito that can transmit dengue fever.
Starting next Thursday, department officers will place two traps in each of the 864 randomly selected flats, in the ground, middle and top floors of the 75 residential buildings. Both public and private estates are involved.
The traps, consisting of a black plastic container, water and a brownish paddle, will be collected and checked weekly in laboratories.
The two-month study will provide early warning on whether Aedes aegypti, the most significant transmitter of dengue fever worldwide, is present in Hong Kong. The mosquito, which prefers to breed in indoor containers and is common in Southeast Asian countries, has not yet been found here, said Ho Yuk-yin, the department consultant and chairman of the Inter-departmental Working Group on Pest Prevention and Control.
'Although there is no evidence of Aedes aegypti in Hong Kong, it is prevalent in our neighbouring countries. Given Hong Kong's environment, there is still a chance for it to grow here,' said Dr Ho. He urged the public to scrub vases and pot plant saucers and dispose of empty containers to avoid stagnant water at home.
