Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited Sha Tin Fire Station this afternoon (June 8) for an update on the work of the Fire Services Department (FSD) in firefighting and rescue as well as eme… read more

     Correctional officers at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre today (June 8) intercepted a male remand person in custody smuggling suspected dangerous drugs into the centre by concealing them inside his bo… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health today (June 8) reported that the suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) pending results yesterday (June 7), upon preliminary testing, tested negati… read more

     The Home Affairs Department will open 19 temporary night heat shelters tonight (June 8) for people in need of the service.
 
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.
 
     For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.
 
     The 19 night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai read more

     As Hong Kong is entering the peak season of mosquito breeding, different government departments including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Home Affairs Department and the Civil Aid Service, together with the Islands District Council and the Cheung Chau Rural Committee, held a joint mosquito prevention and control operation on Cheung Chau today (June 8) to publicise mosquito prevention messages and to raise public awareness on mosquito-borne diseases.
 
     The Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi, said, “Aedes albopictus, a kind of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever, breeds in small water bodies. In the past two weeks, rain was recorded in different places in Hong Kong. Stagnant water can lead to mosquito infestation, and hot and humid weather like that seen in recent days is conducive to large-scale mosquito breeding in a short period of time. The public must take effective mosquito control measures early.
 
     “District community leaders and groups are very familiar with district issues. Their support and assistance at the district level is vital in the promotion of anti-mosquito measures to residents. The collaboration of all government departments and the participation of all members of the public is crucial for mosquito control. Members of the public should also maintain personal hygiene and prevent mosquito breeding in their everyday lives.”
 
     Among the local dengue fever cases recorded last year, the patients of a number of cases resided in or visited Cheung Chau during the incubation period. In view of the dengue fever cases last year, the Government has already commenced the territory-wide All-out Anti-mosquito Operations before the onset of the rainy season. Various departments will continue to conduct fogging operations in the scrubby areas within a 100-metre radius around residences to kill adult mosquitoes weekly till the end of the rainy reason.
 
     “The FEHD is exploring to modify the design of the ovitrap with a view to obtaining data on Aedes albopictus through the collection of information on adult mosquitoes to give more information on adult mosquito density,” Dr Chui said.
 
Public advice on mosquito control
 

• 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;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

 
Reduce risk of infections
 
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (dengue fever) or at least 21 days (Zika virus infection) upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to a doctor.
 
Tips for insect repellents
 
     DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with 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*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* 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.
 
     People should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the dengue fever pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the FEHD’s Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding for more information. read more