Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ6: Prevention of Dengue fever
Following is a question by the Hon WONG Yung-kan and a reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (November 5):
Question:
In spite of the three rounds of anti-mosquito campaigns launched by the Government from February to early October this year, Hong Kong's first locally-contracted Dengue fever case for the year occurred in October. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it has plans to launch another round of anti-mosquito campaigns focusing on mosquito prevention measures in rural areas; and
(b) of the respective numbers of warning letters and summonses issued by the authorities to owners of private land that breed mosquitoes during the three large-scale anti-mosquito campaigns completed not long ago, and whether the authorities have any new strategies to tackle the problem of mosquitoes on private land left unattended for a long time?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) Since 2001, the Administration has launched an annual anti-mosquito campaign to tackle the mosquito problem. Each campaign comprises several phases (each lasting up to six weeks) between early spring and autumn during which intensive efforts and anti-mosquito measures are taken to eradicate mosquito harbourage and breeding grounds. Mosquito prevention measures in rural areas such as construction sites, vacant government land and illegal cultivation sites have always been an integral part of our campaign strategy.
The next territory-wide anti-mosquito campaign will commence in February 2004. We will identify areas/venues for focused control measures and publicity efforts in the light of our experience with past campaigns, community feedback and the latest ovitrap findings. In view of the prevalence of mosquito breeding sites in the rural areas, we will intensify our mosquito control efforts in these places in the coming campaign.
In addition to anti-mosquito campaigns, it is our strategy to sustain anti-mosquito efforts by the community and government departments throughout the year. In collaboration with the Home Affairs Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has implemented a wide range of vector control, publicity and public education measures targeted at rural communities. Specific measures taken included thematic control operations for village-type houses, minor improvement works to remove mosquito breeding grounds in rural setting, organisation of talks and other publicity activities on dengue fever prevention and distribution of educational posters/leaflets to rural leaders and villagers.
(b) During the 2003 Anti-mosquito Campaign, FEHD issued 127 summonses against mosquito breeding in construction sites and other private premises and 153 warning letters against stagnant water accumulation in such premises.
The Administration is mindful that private land unattended for a long time could be a source of mosquito problems. We have been encouraging local residents to report mosquito blackspots in their neighbourhood to facilitate vector control and enforcement actions by FEHD. Where an unattended private site is found to have mosquito breeding risks, FEHD will obtain the owner's information from the Land Registry and serve a notice on the owner requiring him to clear the breeding spots within a specified time. Failure to comply with the notice requirements will render the owner liable to prosecution under Section 27 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132). Where the situation merits immediate control measures or where the owner cannot be contacted/identified, FEHD will expeditiously apply for a warrant from the court to enter the site to eliminate mosquito breeding places therein.
Ends/Wednesday, November 5, 2003
NNNN