Eradicate and educate: The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department conducts an anti-mosquito operation on Cheung Chau.

With the approach of the rainy season, the public should step up their anti-mosquito efforts to prevent dengue fever.

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department has sent a team to Cheung Chau island today to take steps to eradicate mosquitoes and educate the local residents on the need to take anti-mosquito measures.

The department will send a team to Lamma Island on March 18, to Mui Wo on March 19 and to Peng Chau on March 26.

It reminds the public to inspect their premises on a weekly basis. Everyday household items such as flower vases and saucers under potted plants may be mosquito breeding grounds.

Similarly, any container that can trap water, from dsoft-drink cans to lunchboxes, should be disposed of properly so as not to become a nest for mosquito eggs.

Estate management should also ensure that drains flow freely, as they, too, can become a welcome home for eggs.

Ovitrap indices that tell the amount and type of mosquitoes in different locations and advice on anti-mosquito measures are available at the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department's website: www.fehd.gov.hk. For queries, call the department's hotline on  2868 0000.