New mosquito trap from Netherlands will combat rise of dengue fever in Hong Kong and target insect at all stages of its life cycle
- New device is being tested by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
- Comes after city reported a surge in local dengue fever cases last year
A new mosquito trap targeting larvae and the adult insects is to be introduced by the environmental hygiene authorities to help curb the growth of the pest in Hong Kong.
The new device, which is from the Netherlands and is being tested by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, arrived as concerns over mosquito control work grew after the city reported a surge in local dengue fever cases last year.
The outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease prompted the closure of Lion Rock Park for nearly two months to prevent further transmission of cases.
Lee Ming-wai, the department’s pest control officer-in-charge, said the latest device could target mosquitoes at different stages of their life cycle.
“The new mosquito trap could achieve two functions – controlling larvae and adult mosquitoes at the same time,” Lee said.