Short-term measures to improve environmental hygiene may be introduced in three weeks, Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang said today.

The measures will respond to public needs and be recognised by experts as sustainable and corrective in nature.

"The measures will mainly address issues concerning personal and household hygiene," he said.

On personal hygiene, for example, legislation and enforcement against spitting, which is the source of many diseases, will be reviewed.

While household hygiene will focus on measures to rid buildings of cockroaches, mice and other pests to help prevent the spread of disease. It will also cover sewerage systems and the good maintenance of them.