Mosquito populations in Tuen Mun South are on the rise. The Area Ovitrap Index hit 22% in March after a 0% reading had been recorded just a month earlier. Readings in 10 other locations ranged from 1.9% to 6.7%.

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department said the Tuen Mun reading sends an early warning over the potential summer mosquito problem, adding the index can rise sharply amid any lapse in control.

The department's Consultant (Community Medicine) (Risk Assessment & Communication) Dr Ho Yuk-yin said stagnant water was found accumulated on canopies hanging at a cooked food centre and in a car park in Yau Oi Estate. "These provide favourable mosquito breeding grounds," he said.

Anti-mosquito drive to launch

As Tuen Mun South's reading exceeds 20%, Dr Ho said an inter-departmental task force has been set up to improve the situation. With the approach of the rainy season, he urged people to take anti-mosquito measures.

Dr Ho said the overall Monthly Ovitrap Index last month was 1.5%, compared with 1.4% in March last year. The indices reflect the prevalence of aedes albopictus, a mosquito vector for Dengue fever transmission.

"Although the index remains low, we should spare no effort in implementing anti-mosquito measures before the rainy season," Dr Ho said. "The readings are expected to rise [then]."

Help curb mosquito breeding

To prevent the introduction of Dengue-infected mosquitoes from neighbouring areas, a special mosquito surveillance programme has been operating at all major port areas since January. The index recorded at the ports fell from 0.3% in February to 0.1% last month.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health advised people to take preventive measures when travelling abroad during the Easter holidays, particularly to Southeast Asian countries.

They should:

* wear long-sleeved tops and long trousers;

* use insect repellent on the exposed parts of the body; and,

* use mosquito screens or nets when staying in non-air-conditioned rooms.

Dr Ho reminded grave-sweepers to take precautions at cemeteries and columbariums.

"To prevent mosquito breeding, they should remove stagnant water and rubbish before leaving," he said. "Also, they should not leave any containers such as vases, lunch boxes, plastic bags, buckets for burning incense or drink containers."