Press Release

Measures to prevent and control dengue fever enhanced

March 27, 2002

Prompt prevention and control measures by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in the past year coupled with community participation have effectively prevented secondary spread of dengue fever.

In 2001, Hong Kong has not recorded any local cases of dengue fever among the 17 cases reported.

The Chairman of the Inter-departmental Coordinating Committee on Dengue Fever, Dr Tse Lai-yin said today (March 27): "However, we must always remain vigilant against dengue fever as it is endemic in our neighbouring countries and our weather is favourable to the propagation of the mosquitoes carrying dengue virus."

"The Department of Health (DH) will continue to closely monitor the dengue fever situation both locally and in neighbouring countries and areas."

The Inter-departmental Coordinating Committee on Dengue Fever had decided in a meeting yesterday (March 26) that efforts should be continued this year by instituting a series of enhanced prevention and control measures against the mosquito transmitted disease.

Yesterday's meeting also confirmed that the territory-wide inter-departmental anti-mosquito campaign would be strengthened and implemented from April 2.

"Dengue fever is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus. The virus is transmitted by infective mosquitoes that bite during the day. A mosquito vector that is capable of transmitting dengue virus exists in Hong Kong and is called Aedes albopictus. Dengue fever is not transmitted directly from person to person."

Dr Tse who is the Consultant (Community Medicine) of DH, advised persons travelling outside Hong Kong, to adopt the following preventive measures to protect themselves against dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases:

• wear long-sleeved clothes and long trousers;
• use insect repellent over the exposed parts of the body;
• use mosquito screens or nets when the room is not air-conditioned; and
• avoid staying in scrubby areas.

People who return from a dengue-infected area and fall sick within one month should immediately consult a doctor and give complete travel history to facilitate early diagnosis and management.

Dr Tse said that the most effective control strategy against dengue fever was to enhance disease surveillance and control the mosquito vector.

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, schools and hospitals."

"It is important for members of the public to clear stagnant water in their homes and surrounding areas to avoid breeding of mosquitoes."

They should:

• put all used cans and bottles into dustbins with cover;
• change water for plants at least once a week, leaving no water in the saucers underneath flower pots;
• cover tightly all water containers, wells and water storage tanks; and
• keep all drains free from choke.

The FEHD will track Ovitrap Indices in parallel with the campaign to monitor the change in the territory-wide situation of mosquitoes.

A community-wide publicity campaign to encourage the public to participate actively in controlling mosquito breeding will be launched from April 2.

The campaign, with the slogan "Let's remove stagnant water. Eliminate mosquitoes for healthy living", will be joined by the FEHD; DH; Hospital Authority; Housing Department; Education Department; Leisure and Cultural Services Department; Social Welfare Department; Labour Department; Home Affairs Department; Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; Lands Department; Environmental Protection Department; Architectural Services Department; Highways Department; Marine Department and Information Services Department.

District Councils and District Areas Committees will be invited to participate in the campaign, which will be conducted in three phases.

The first phase will be conducted between April 2 and 27 while the second and third phases will be carried out from July 15 to August 10 and from September 23 to October 12 respectively.

The Consultant (Community Medicine) (Risk Assessment and Communication) of the FEHD, Dr Ho Yuk-yin said: "The future of Hong Kong rests with the younger generation."

"To solicit their support and to promote practices unfavourable to mosquito infestation, a photo-taking competition will be organised for secondary school students, a poster-design competition for upper primary school students and a colouring competition for lower primary school students."

Apart from television and radio announcements and publicity materials like banners and posters, letters to target groups such as management of construction sites, public/private housing estates, schools and hospitals/clinics will be sent.

Moreover, roving exhibitions at major shopping malls of housing estates; outreaching health talks for schools, construction sites management and workers; as well as a theme exhibition at the Public Health Laboratory Centre at Nam Cheong Street, Sham Shui Po will be arranged to drive the message home.

Details of the campaign can be found at the FEHD's home page: This link will open in a new windowwww.fehd.gov.hk.

Dr Ho added: "Enforcement actions and public education will be stepped up against mosquito breeding, particularly in construction sites and other targeted areas."

"Members of the public are 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."

Communication channels between DH, Hospital Authority and private sector will be strengthened to detect suspected cases of dengue fever.

The Port Health Office of the DH will increase the frequency of broadcasting dengue fever prevention messages at the airport, ferry terminals and border control points. There will be an increased supply of pamphlets and posters on dengue fever available to travellers. Support has also been solicited from the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong to remind its members to disseminate health messages to clients and to encourage them to take precautions during outbound trips.

Travel health information including information on mosquito-borne diseases is available at DH's travel health website: This link will open in a new windowhttp://www.info.gov.hk/trhealth.

To-date, two imported cases of dengue fever were reported in Hong Kong this year and both patients had recovered.