August 30, 2001
The Inter-departmental Coordinating Committee on Dengue Fever today (August 30) instituted a series of enhanced prevention and control measures against the mosquito transmitted disease following a cluster of cases reported in Macao.
The Chairman of the Coordinating Committee, Dr Tse Lai-yin told reporters after the meeting. Dr Tse is the Consultant (Community Medicine) of the Department of Health (DH).
Today's meeting confirmed that the territory-wide inter-departmental anti-mosquito campaign would be expanded and implemented from tomorrow (August 31) to November 3.
Dr Tse said: "Special attention will be given to areas favoring the harborage of mosquitoes or in close proximity to human residence. These include waterfront public and private cargo working areas, piers and ferry terminals, construction sites, housing estates and schools."
"Black spots identified by district pest control staff of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will also be covered in addition to day-to-day work being carried out by the Department."
The FEHD will track Ovitrap Indices in parallel with the campaign to monitor the change in the territory-wide vectors' situation.
Dr Tse said that a community-wide publicity campaign to empower the public to control mosquito breeding sites around their homes will be launched by the FEHD, DH and Information Services Department.
With the slogan "Let's remove stagnant water. Eliminate mosquito for healthy living", the campaign will be joined by District Councils, Housing Department, Education Department, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Social Welfare Department, Labour Department, Home Affairs Department, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Lands Department and the Hospital Authority.
The campaign will include radio Announcements in the Public Interest, banners and posters, pamphlets and other publicity materials, education video and letters to target groups such as management of construction sites and public/private housing estates. The messages will also be included in FEHD Hotline 2868 0000 and DH hotline 2833 0111 and Homepages of DH and FEHD.
Promotion activities will include roving exhibitions at major shopping malls of housing estates, outreaching health talks for schools, construction sites management and workers. Theme exhibitions will also be conducted for visitors to FEHD's Health Education Exhibition and Resource Centre.
The DH and Hospital Authority will give information on the dengue fever situation to medical services providers in both public and private sectors and provide guidance on clinical management of the disease.
Communication channels between DH and Hospital Authority will be strengthened to detect suspected cases of dengue fever.
Dr Tse said: "Close ties will be maintained with Macao over the dengue fever situation."
"We will continue to monitor the activity of dengue fever in other countries in this Region."
The Port Health Office of the DH will increase the frequency of broadcasting dengue fever prevention messages at ferry terminals and border control points. There will be an increased supply of pamphlets and posters on dengue fever available to travellers.
Dr Tse reiterated that the most effective control strategy was to enhance disease surveillance and control the mosquito vector. "Dengue fever is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus. The virus is transmitted by infective mosquitoes that bite particularly during the day. A mosquito vector that is capable of transmitting dengue virus exists in Hong Kong and is called Aedes albopictus. Dengue fever does not transmit directly from person to person."
To prevent contracting the disease, travellers should:
People who returned from a dengue-infected area and fall sick within one month should consult a doctor and give complete travel history so as to facilitate early diagnosis and management.
The Consultant (Community Medicine) (Risk Assessment and Communication) of the FEHD, Dr Ho Yuk-yin said: "Enforcement actions will be stepped up against mosquito breeding, particularly in construction sites and other targeted areas.
"The public is reminded that under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap 132, any person found accumulating water containing larvae or pupae of mosquitoes on his premises will be liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 plus a daily fine of $450."