Specimens of adult Culex tritaeniorhynchus, a know Japanese encephalitis vector, have recently been found in North District, Yuen Long, Sai Kung, Tai Po and on Lantau, though the virus itself has not been detected, according to a Food & Environmental Hygiene Department survey.

The department's Community Medicine Consultant Dr Ho Yuk-yin said mosquito control action has been stepped up in the areas concerned and technical support has been offered to other departments and organisations involved in operations against mosquito breeding.

He noted both the monthly ovitrap index and the index for port areas for March, which reflect the prevalence of Aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for Dengue fever transmission, remained at 0%, compared with 1.5% and 0.1% in the same period last year.

Dr Ho attributed the zero figures to the low temperature and dry weather, and cautioned the figures could go up quickly as the weather gets warmer and wetter.

People should continue take measures against mosquito breeding and mosquito-transmitted diseases. For details of the ovitrap indices and anti-mosquito measures, click here or call 2868 0000.

Information and health advice on Dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis are available at www.chp.gov.hk or the Central Health Education hotline, 2833 0111.