Pest control: Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong says the Government needs the co-operation of the public to contain the mosquito problem.

An initial proposal on the establishment of an organisation similar to the US' Centres for Disease Control & Prevention in Hong Kong will be announced in about three months.

Speaking after inspecting mosquito-control measures in Tin Shui Wai today, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said a committee will be set up to establish the organisation.

Once the framework is set out, the Government will consult lawmakers and medical, academic and other professional sectors on the issue.

To garner more experience on the organisation's operation, Dr Yeoh will meet the CDC director during his duty visit to the US next week. The Government will also invite CDC experts to visit Hong Kong to exchange views with officials.

On the work of containing mosquitoes in Hong Kong, Dr Yeoh said although statistics showed the problem was less serious this year, we must stay alert as breeding may worsen quickly if not properly controlled.

"The Government cannot do it alone, we need the co-operation of the community to reduce the risk of any infectious diseases from spreading, not only for dengue fever or SARS. A healthy environment and good personal hygiene are both important elements in the prevention of communicable diseases," Dr Yeoh said.

Apart from launching a sustainable public education programme to promote awareness and alertness, Dr Yeoh said the Government will carry out a series of programmes, including improvements in the provision of hardware and software in our public-health system, to better prepare ourselves for the future.