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SCMP Reporter

Updated at 7.12pm:
Hong Kong people need to be more vigilant about mosquito-transmitted diseases as the weather becomes warmer and more humid, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department warned on Monday. 

The department made the appeal as it revealed survey results showing the prevalence of mosquito breeding across the territory in February.

Department consultant Ho Yuk-yin said February's average ovitrap index - which represents the proportion of traps found to contain eggs of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito transmitting dengue fever - was 0.1 per cent, the same as in January.

All 38 districts across the territory, but one surveyed last month recorded zero on the indices. The index for Sham Shui Po East was 1.9 per cent.

Port areas was also recorded 0 per cent - the same as January's level.

But Dr Ho said a low ovitrap reading in February did not mean people could be complacent.

'Although the figures suggest that the activity of Aedes albopictus is low, our preventive measures should not be relaxed as dengue cases are being reported in our neighbouring countries,' Dr Ho said.

He warned that the figures could rise quickly as mosquitoes were ready to hatch from eggs when the weather turned warm and wet.

Dr Ho advised people to adopt anti-mosquito measures, such as eliminating stagnant water.

'People should pay attention to small containers such as vases, saucers and trays under their air-conditioning units. They are all favourable places for mosquitoes to lay eggs,' he explained.

'Edges and sides of water containers, vases and saucers should be scrubbed and cleaned with household detergent at least once a week,' added Dr Ho.

Hong Kong's health authorities are concerned about a growing trend of dengue fever infections in the Southeast Asia.

Last year, more than 80,000 cases were recorded in Indonesia and over 32,000 cases were each reported in Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.

So far this year, Hong Kong has recorded five cases of the disease. All patients contracted the disease while overseas.

Dr Ho said the first phase of this year's anti-mosquito campaign, which began in February, would run to March 25.

Centre for Health Protection




Warmer weather increases risk of mosquito-borne diseases: FEHD