The Environment & Ecology Bureau today convened a special meeting of the interdepartmental Pest Control Steering Committee.

It urged relevant departments to strengthen anti-mosquito measures after the first locally acquired case of chikungunya fever (CF) was recorded recently.

The committee heard from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Home Affairs Department, the Housing Department, and others, on ways to prevent CF from taking root locally.

Hong Kong has recorded a total of 47 CF cases so far this year. One male patient with underlying chronic diseases passed away, but the remaining cases all showed only mild symptoms.

In light of the first local case being detected, the CHP, co-operating with various other departments and organisations, will initiate infection control measures in an effort to prevent CF from taking root locally and to minimise the public health impact of the disease in Hong Kong.

This includes providing medical surveillance and health advice to household contacts of the case and anyone with common exposure to the source of infection. The centre will arrange for laboratory testing if such individuals present with symptoms.

Besides carrying out questionnaire surveys, the CHP has set up a health consultation booth at Fung Tak Shopping Centre, Fung Tak Estate, where the local case was reported, to provide assessments to any residents with symptoms. An inquiry hotline, 2125 2373, has also been set up.

Together with the FEHD, the centre has inspected locations near the patient's residence, and conducted vector investigations and mosquito control operations, to minimise the risk of local transmission. It has also issued letters to doctors, hospitals, schools and institutions, providing the latest information on CF and reminding them to stay vigilant.

In the meeting, the FEHD reported on mosquito infestation conditions in the area where the case was detected, and on follow-up actions taken, including intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250m radius of relevant locations in order to kill adult mosquitoes.

During the Chung Yeung Festival, the department will enhance cleaning and mosquito prevention efforts at public cemeteries and columbaria.

People should clear stagnant water and refuse after tomb-sweeping to prevent mosquito breeding. Managers of private cemeteries have also been urged to implement mosquito prevention measures.