XN000022-1983-04-03 — Page 13

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SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1983

ANTI-MOSQUITO CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN NT

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WITH THE APPROACH OF THE HOT AND HUMID SEASON, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS LAUNCHING THE FIRST PHASE OF ITS ANTI-MOSQUITO CAMPAIGN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD SAID THE UNPRECEDENTED TORRENTIAL RAINFALL DURING THE LAST TWO MONTHS IS EXPECTED TO BRING SERIOUS MOSQUITO NUISANCE.

AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THE PREVENTION OF MOSQUITO, STAFF OF THE NTSD ARE NOW VISITING POTENTIAL BREEDING PLACES THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES TO ELIMINATE THE NUISANCE, HE SAID.

APART FROM THAT, THE NTSD WILL DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION LEAFLETS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ADVISE THEM ON VARIOUS PRACTICAL WAYS TO PREVENT MOSQUITO BREEDING.

SUPPORT WILL ALSO BE ENLISTED FROM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, INCORPORATED OWNERS OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS AND MANAGEMENT OF LARGE HOUSING ESTATES.

AS MOSQUITOES BREED ONLY IN STAGNANT WATER, THE SPOKESMAN URGED THE PUBLIC TO TAKE FOLLOWING MEASURES •

* DISCARD ALL TINS, BOTTLES, RECEPTACLES AND OLD TYRES ;

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KEEP WATER STORAGE TANKS WELL COVERED AND IN GOOD CONDITION;

* ENSURE DRAINAGE IS IN ORDER TO PREVENT CHOKAGE; AND

* CHANGE WATER IN VASES AT LEAST ONCE EVERY WEEK AND SEE THAT NO WATER ACCUMULATES IN TRAYS AND/OR FLOWER BEDS.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO ADVISED TO KEEP THEIR SURROUNDINGS IN HYGIENIC CONDITION TO HELP ELIMINATE ALL POSSIBLE BREEDING PLACES.

THEY ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE TO ALLOW MOSQUITO BREEDING IN PREMISES AND CONSTRUCTION SITES. OFFENDERS WILL FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+ IF YOU ENCOUNTER ANY MOSQUITO NUISANCE, YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE PEST CONTROL UNIT OF VARIOUS URBAN SERVICES OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR ASSISTANCE,+ HE SAID.

MEANWHILE, ANTI-MOSQUITO TEAMS OF THE NTSD ARE CONDUCTING INSPECTIONS AT POSSIBLE MOSQUITO BREEDING GROUNDS IN RURAL AND BUILT-UP AREAS, AS WELL AS CONSTRUCTION SITES.

WHEN ANY LARVAE OR PUPAE OF MOSQUITO IS DETECTED, THE PEST CONTROL OFFICERS WILL KILL THEM BY SPRAYING INSECTICIDES ON THEM.

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