The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating the first local case of dengue fever (DF) in Hong Kong this year, and is working with various government departments to implement appropriate prevention and control measures.
The CHP reminds that as temperatures gradually rise and humidity increases, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding, members of the public should take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
Members of the public may use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, while the following precautions should be taken when using them:
· read the label instructions carefully first;
· apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
· apply on exposed skin and clothing;
· use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic, and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
· apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
· reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
· in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
Furthermore, members of the public are remined to take the following advice on mosquito control:
· Inspect your residence, workplaces and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds;
· Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
· Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
· Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes in covered litter containers;
· Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
· Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season; and
· Install mosquito screens on windows and doors if necessary, or use mosquito screens or nets in indoor areas.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page, Instagram Account and YouTube Channel, and also the Mosquito Prevention and Control dedicated page of the FEHD.
Department of Health
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