The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department has confirmed 28 out of 36 ovitrap devices in Tung Chung have been tampered with. The case has been referred to Police for investigation.

On October 19, the department's Pest Control Advisory Section staff went to collect the ovitrap devices which had previously been placed in various locations in Tung Chung. They found 28 out of a total of 36 devices had been tampered with, as the water contained in the devices was clear and appeared to have been replaced. All 36 ovitrap devices were replaced immediately while inspections to these locations have been stepped up to minimise the likelihood of further tampering.

The public should not to touch the ovitrap devices as they provide important indicators for the Government in its efforts to tackle Dengue fever.

On earlier complaints about ovitrap tampering, the department has examined all the ovitraps placed in different locations throughout the city. About 200, or 10% of the ovitraps in Kwai Chung, Lai King, Tsing Yi, Sham Shui Po (East) and Kwun Tong (Central) were suspected to have been tampered with.

Ovitraps in these five areas were all replaced and the incidents have also been referred to Police for investigation. Ovitrap indices announced earlier for September have not been affected as no abnormalities have been observed since then.