The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department urges people to step up anti-mosquito efforts as the monthly ovitrap index soared from 9.9% in May to 13.2% in June.

Department consultant Dr Ho Yuk-yin warned today that the surge reflected the rising activity of Aedes albopictus, the mosquito that carries Dengue fever. He expects the index to climb further in the coming months.

Ovitrap indices of 20 areas have exceeded 10%, of which nine have entered the alert zone of 20% to 40% - Tai Po North (39.2%), Fanling (38.9%), Sheung Wan (32.1%), Yuen Kong (30.4%), Lai King (30.2%), Kennedy Town (26.9%), Yuen Long Town (26.5%), Sheung Shui (26.4%) and Sham Shui Po East (24.5%).

Response mechanism activated

The inter-departmental anti-mosquito response mechanism has been activated in these areas, and departments have strengthened inspections and begun special operations to clean up the environment and remove mosquito breeding places.

In port areas the ovitrap index has grown from 2.5% to 3.2%.

Meanwhile, specimens of adult Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes have been collected in Southern District, Kwun Tong, Tuen Mun, Sai Kung, Kwai Tsing, Yuen Long and Lantau Island, while larvae has been found in Tseung Kwan O and Pui O. However, no Japanese encephalitis virus was detected.

For detailed ovitrap indices and anti-mosquito measures, visit the department's website or call 2868 0000. For health advice on Dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis, visit the Centre for Health Protection's website or call 2833 0111.