May 1, 2003
Members of the public are generally aware of the threat of dengue fever in Hong Kong but their participation in the anti-mosquito campaign could have been more active.
Releasing the results of a survey on public perception on dengue fever today (May 1), Senior Medical and Health Officer of the Department of Health (DH), Dr S F Tsang, made the above remarks. He called on members of the public to take persistent measures against mosquito breeding.
Dr Tsang said DH and other government departments have been working closely in an all-out effort to prevent mosquito breeding.
"However, without the full and continuous support and co-operation from members of the public, the Government's effort in controlling dengue fever would not be successful" Dr Tsang added.
The survey was commissioned by DH between December 5 and 27 last year to evaluate the effectiveness of the Government's anti-mosquito/dengue fever campaign.
"A total of 3 024 people, aged between 15 and 64, were interviewed, representing a response rate of 79 per cent.
"The survey gauged public awareness of dengue fever and the government's anti-dengue fever campaign; the risk of dengue fever and effectiveness of preventive measures in the eyes of the public; the public's perception on the roles of themselves and the government in preventing and controlling the disease; and public participation in the anti-mosquito campaign," Dr Tsang said.
Dr Tsang said that 11 imported dengue fever cases have been reported so far this year, almost a fourfold increase over the same period in 2002, and that a total of 20 local cases in addition to 24 imported cases were detected last year.
He urged members of the public, including those travelling to neighbouring regions where dengue fever is prevailing, to take preventive measures to protect themselves against the disease.
"We need to take every possible means to prevent dengue fever from becoming an endemic disease.
"The survey would help us fine-tune our anti-dengue fever strategy so as to effectively control the disease and safeguard public health.
"We are glad to see that 96 per cent of the respondents were aware of the threat of dengue fever and that over 60 per cent of them realised preventive measures through various kinds of channels," Dr Tsang said.
He noted that over 90 per cent of the respondents knew that the vector of dengue fever is Aedes albopictus and 83 per cent of them could correctly point out the symptoms of the disease.
"However, only 66 per cent of them knew that second infection could cause dengue hemorrhagic fever and just more than half of them could say correctly that Aedes albopictus liked to sting people during daytime," Dr Tsang said.
Around 40 percent of the respondents realized that there was no effective vaccine against dengue fever and that Aedes albopictus could transmit dengue fever through the ova to the next generation.
Dr Tsang said respondents generally had good knowledge about mosquito preventive measures.
"Ninety-eight per cent of the respondents could correctly point out that removal of stagnant water was an effective way to eliminate the breeding of mosquitoes.
"Ninety per cent of the respondents knew that it was necessary to remove stagnant water even during winter as the eggs of Aedes albopictus could survive in cold weather and hatch in wet season," Dr Tsang noted.
"The public was generally satisfied with the Government's anti-mosquito measures," Dr Tsang said, adding "the majority of the respondents (78 per cent) were of the view that the Government should continue to strengthen these measures, including cleaning of dirty spots and promotion campaigns.
Noting that a quarter of the respondents were reported to have been stung by mosquitoes near their homes or working/study places in the week before the survey and that 57 per cent of the interviewees had not taken any anti-mosquito measures in the three months before the survey, Dr Tsang said the risk of the spread of dengue fever could be further minimized if more people were willing to take a more active approach to fight against mosquitoes.
"Nevertheless, the positive response from the public was encouraging as 93 per cent of the respondents considered themselves having a role in the fight against mosquito, particularly through keeping the environment clean.
"They should strictly observed anti-mosquito measures including clearing of stagnant water in homes and surrounding areas, disposing rubbish or containers into rubbish bins, covering water containers and adopting preventive measures during outdoor activities," Dr Tsang stressed.
He concluded that the survey indicated that the Government's anti-mosquito/anti-dengue fever campaign was overall effective.
"Nevertheless, there is no room for complacency. We need to do more in raising public awareness of the disease and promoting anti-mosquito practices among them," Dr Tsang added.