Act now: Food & Environmental Hygiene Department Consultant Dr Ho Yuk-yin calls for immediate action by all in the community to eliminate mosquito breeding areas.

The monthly ovitrap index, which reflects the prevalence of the mosquito vector for Dengue fever transmission, was 31.6% last month, much higher than April's 11.9%. The figure for the same period last year was 17.1%.

At the district level, area ovitrap indices in 10 locations exceeded 40%. Of them, five were even higher than 50%.

In Tai Wai, Fanling, Ma On Shan, Lam Tin and Yuen Kong, alarming indices of 61.8%, 55.1%, 51.9%, 50% and 50% were recorded. The port area ovitrap index also rose from 1.5% to 6.1% last month.

Community-wide effort needed

Food & Environmental Hygiene Department Consultant Dr Ho Yuk-yin warned the alarming situation called for immediate action by all in the community. The drastic surge was partly due to heavy and episodic rainfall in March and April, and he predicted the indices might rise further in the coming months. He said infestation can be prevented by eliminating breeding places and maintaining good environmental hygiene.

Aberdeen, Kwun Tong Central and Tseung Kwan O, which recorded area ovitrap indices of more than 40% in April, saw their indices fall significantly last month. This was attributed to the efforts of and close partnership between Government departments and local residents.

Dr Ho urged people to ensure water does not accumulate in open areas like rooftops, courtyards and balconies after rain, and that ditches are properly maintained. The department will step up inspections and enforcement action.

During the first five months of the year, the department treated 19,793 mosquito-breeding places, took out 97 prosecutions and issued 237 written warnings. Special anti-mosquito operations have also been mounted on Cheung Chau, Lamma Island, Peng Chau and at Mui Wo.

Your chance to learn and contribute

On community participation, seminars will be held to educate the public on mosquito control measures, including one for the construction industry and another for pest control practitioners.

Individuals or organisations interested in participating in anti-mosquito publicity and education can approach the department by calling its Communication Resources Unit at 2381 6096.

Dr Ho advised people to follow the mosquito prevention measures recommended in the department's Weekly Mosquito Inspection Programme. Its details can be obtained on the department's website.