The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (July 16) announced that the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for June rose to 16 per cent from 11 per cent in May, indicating that mosquito infestation was slightly more extensive in the areas surveyed. The FEHD reminded the public to stay vigilant and carry out effective measures against mosquitoes as the hot and rainy weather of summer is favourable for proliferation of mosquitoes.
      
     A spokesman for the FEHD said, "Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever (DF) and the Zika virus. In view of the 29 local DF cases recorded last year and the recent warning from the World Health Organization that the number of DF cases recorded in Asian countries was exceptionally high when compared with last year, and that Hong Kong recorded a local case of Japanese encephalitis last month and the rainy weather of summer is conducive to massive mosquito breeding, the community must work with the Government to continue to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures. When travelling overseas, particularly to dengue endemic areas, measures should be taken to prevent mosquito bites.”
      
     Among the 57 areas surveyed last month, the Area Ovitrap Index (AOI) in 17 areas exceeded the alert level of 20 per cent. They were: Ma On Shan (42.2 per cent), Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay (30.4 per cent), Wong Tai Sin Central (30.4 per cent), Wo Che (30.3 per cent), Kowloon Bay (27.2 per cent), Ho Man Tin (25.9 per cent), North Point (25 per cent), Ngau Chi Wan (25 per cent), So Kwun Wat (24.5 per cent), Lai King (24.5%), Sheung Shui (24.3 per cent), Tai Po (23.1 per cent), Kowloon City North (22.9 per cent), Tsim Sha Tsui East (22.5 per cent), Happy Valley (21.6 per cent), Tseung Kwan O North (21.2 per cent) and Tai Wai (20.2 per cent). As for the port areas, the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for June also rose to 2.6 per cent from 1.7 per cent in May. 
      
     The spokesman said, "The FEHD is very concerned about mosquito infestation, and an inter-departmental anti-mosquito response mechanism has been activated in the above-mentioned areas for co-ordinating relevant departments and stakeholders to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures. Relevant departments have also individually notified the groups that had voluntarily subscribed to the ovitrap rapid alert system when the AOI reached the alert level of 20 per cent. Subscribers have been invited to post specially designed alert notices in the common parts of their premises to remind occupants and staff to carry out anti-mosquito measures promptly."
      
     The FEHD and relevant government departments have launched All-out Anti-mosquito Operations in April to implement anti-mosquito work throughout the territory. The major measures include carrying out fogging in scrubby areas within a 100-metre radius around residences weekly to kill adult mosquitoes; carrying out inspections, removing stagnant water, applying insecticide and disposing of abandoned water containers weekly to prevent mosquito breeding; and trimming of grass to discourage resting of adult mosquitoes on the site. The FEHD and relevant government departments will continue the above mosquito prevention and control work in areas under their purview, particularly in the areas with the AOI reaching alert levels, and strengthen publicity and education campaigns in the coming months.
      
     In addition, the FEHD will launch the third phase of the territory-wide Anti-mosquito Campaign on August 19, which will last for 12 weeks. During the period, the district offices of the FEHD will target areas that have drawn particular concerns, such as public markets, cooked food centres and hawker bazaars, single-block buildings, streets and back lanes, common parts of buildings, village houses, construction sites, vacant sites and road works sites, and step up publicity at those places as well as mosquito prevention and control work at relevant public locations.
      
     The FEHD has also handled mosquito complaints promptly and taken out prosecutions under the relevant ordinance against mosquito breeding. Pest Control Inspection Teams have stepped up inspections and enforcement actions at construction sites against mosquito breeding. This year (as at July 7), the FEHD instituted 88 prosecutions for mosquito breeding found in relevant premises under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), comprising 79 cases involving construction sites and nine cases involving other premises.
      
     In order to keep the public abreast of the latest situation of mosquito infestation and assist them to take timely mosquito prevention and control measures, the FEHD is releasing two additional phased AOIs for Aedes albopictus before the announcement of the monthly AOI and the Monthly Ovitrap Index for Aedes albopictus. The FEHD will follow the established practice of notifying relevant government departments of the aforementioned indices so that they can carry out targeted mosquito prevention and control work promptly.
      
     The spokesman added that as Aedes albopictus breeds in small water bodies, members of the public should carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing the water in vases and scrubbing the inner surface as well as removing the water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. He also advised public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
      
     In addition, rural areas and the vicinity of shrubby areas are the natural habitats for mosquitoes, other insects and animals. Members of the public living in rural areas may install mosquito screens on windows and doors if necessary. Those staying in the natural environment should take appropriate personal protective measures against mosquitoes, such as avoiding staying in the vicinity of shrubby areas for a long time, wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers, and applying DEET-containing insect repellent. Members of the public are reminded to make reports to relevant government departments via 1823 if mosquito problems are detected.
      
     The spokesman reiterated that effective mosquito prevention and control requires the sustained effort of all parties concerned. The community must work together with the Government to carry out effective anti-mosquito measures.
      
     He also reminded travellers to take the following precautionary measures when visiting areas where mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent during the summer holidays:
      
     * Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothes and trousers;
     * Use insect repellent over exposed parts of the body when outdoors; and
     * Use mosquito screens or nets when a room is not air-conditioned.
      
     Travellers returning from areas where mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent should seek medical advice if they have symptoms such as fever, a severe headache or muscle and joint pain. They should also inform their doctor of their travel history.
      
     The ovitrap indices for Aedes albopictus in different areas and information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk.

     The Government announced today (July 16) that Ms Marion Chan Shui-yu, Deputy Commissioner for Census and Statistics, will assume the post of Commissioner for Census and Statistics on July 26, 2019, when Mr Leslie Tang Wai-kong commences his pre-retirement leave.
 
     Commenting on the appointment of Ms Chan, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, said, "Ms Chan has profound professional knowledge and extensive experience in census and statistical work. She also possesses proven leadership and management skills. I am confident that she will be able to lead the Census and Statistics Department to meet the challenges ahead."
 
     On the retirement of Mr Tang, Mr Law said, "As Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Tang has served with zeal and professionalism, and has made sustained efforts in enhancing the efficiency and service quality of the Department. I wish him a fulfilling and happy retirement."
 
     Brief biographical notes of the two officers are set out below:
 
Mr Leslie Tang Wai-kong
—————————
 
     Mr Tang joined the Government as Statistician in September 1981. He was promoted to Senior Statistician in December 1990, to Assistant Commissioner for Census and Statistics in March 2007 and to Deputy Commissioner for Census and Statistics in March 2012. He has been Commissioner for Census and Statistics since May 2014.
 
Ms Marion Chan Shui-yu
—————————
 
     Ms Chan joined the Government as Statistician in January 1986. She was promoted to Senior Statistician in June 1997 and to Assistant Commissioner for Census and Statistics in November 2014. She has been Deputy Commissioner for Census and Statistics since November 2016.

  

     A landfill user was convicted at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 16) for contravening the Waste Disposal (Designated Waste Disposal Facility) Regulation and fined $6,000. The user had given incorrect information to staff of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) while he was planning to dispose of waste at the West New Territories (WENT) Landfill.

     A spokesman for the EPD said that the department had received reports that some users delivered construction waste to landfills in the guise of municipal solid waste to evade construction waste disposal charges. The EPD then stepped up operations against the malpractice at landfills. In a blitz operation conducted at the WENT Landfill in January 2019, EPD staff encountered a landfill user who claimed that he was not delivering construction waste, but they subsequently found construction waste in what he had disposed of. After an investigation and collection of evidence, the EPD prosecuted the landfill user concerned in accordance with the Waste Disposal (Designated Waste Disposal Facility) Regulation. This is the second convicted case of this nature handled by the EPD this year.

     The spokesman said that according to the Waste Disposal (Charges for Disposal of Construction Waste) Regulation, construction waste producers, including construction contractors, renovation contractors and premises owners, are required to open a billing account with the EPD and pay the construction waste disposal charge in advance for using government waste disposal facilities. In accordance with the Waste Disposal (Designated Waste Disposal Facility) Regulation, a person who deliberately makes any statement or gives any information that is incorrect commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000.

     The spokesman reminded the construction and transport sectors to strictly comply with the requirements of the law. The EPD will continue to take strict enforcement action to deter any unlawful activities within landfills.

     A send-off ceremony for the 11th Young Astronaut Training Camp was held at the Hong Kong Space Museum today (July 16). Thirty selected local secondary students will set off for Beijing on July 27 on a nine-day astronaut training programme.
 
     Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, said that the Young Astronaut Training Camp has been organised annually by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department since 2009. The selected candidates will be able to experience astronaut training and meet aerospace experts and astronauts to learn about their persistence and indomitable spirit. He expressed the hope that the participants can seize the rare opportunity and be proactive in learning in order to broaden their knowledge and horizons as well as make contributions to society in the future.

     Recruitment for this year's Young Astronaut Training Camp started in May. After three selection rounds, which included questions on astronomy and space science, a three-day pre-camp trial and an interview, 30 students were chosen out of more than 160 applicants from around 100 local secondary schools.
     
     The training camp will take place from July 27 to August 4. Participants will visit major space and astronomy facilities and attend lectures on space science and technology. They will also participate in astronaut training, including the wearing of spacesuits, a "space kitchen" experience, psychological training and blood redistribution adaptability training. Upon completion of the training they will undergo an examination and be presented with certificates.
 
     Other officiating guests included the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Dr Liu Jianfeng; the Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Dr Jonathan Choi; the Head of the Division of Academic and Training of the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, Dr Zou Chonghua; and the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Ida Lee.
 
     The training camp is jointly organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the China Astronaut Research and Training Center and the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, in association with the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre. The training camp is arranged by the Hong Kong Space Museum and sponsored by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.
 
     For details of the training camp, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Space Museum at www.yatc.hk.space.museum or call 2734 2711.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 is 105 (up 0.3 against yesterday's index).