XN000022-1986-03-29 — Page 5

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SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1986

ANTI-MOSQUITO EDUCATION CAMPAIGN

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THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS TO LAUNCH AN ANTI-MOSQUITO EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA NEXT MONTH.

THE CAMPAIGN IS AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NUISANCE POSED BY MOSQUITOES IN SUMMER, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

PUBLICITY MATERIALS, INCLUDING POSTERS AND LEAFLETS ON ERADICATING MOSQUITOES, WILL BE SENT TO BUILDING CONTRACTORS, THE MANAGEMENTS OF LARGE HOUSING ESTATES AND VARIOUS PUBLIC BODIES.

THE CAMPAIGN MESSAGE CAN BE SUMMARISED IN THE SLOGAN +MOSQUITOES BREED ONLY IN STAGNANT WATER+, THE SPOKESMAN SAID. SPECIFICALLY, THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PREVENTIVE MEASURES:

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KEEP ALL CONTAINERS AWAY FROM OPEN SPACES TO PREVENT THEM FROM ACCUMULATING WATER WHEN LEFT UNATTENDED;

KEEP WATER STORAGE TANKS COVERED AND TURN OTHER LARGE UNUSED RECEPTACLES UPSIDE DOWN IF THEY CANNOT BE MOVED INDOORS I

ENSURE THAT DRAINAGE IS IN ORDER SO AS TO PREVENT POSSIBLE FLOODING: AND

RENEW WATER IN VASES AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK AND SEE THAT NO WATER ACCUMULATES IN THE TRAYS OF FLOWER POTS.

LATER IN THE MONTH, FIVE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE RSD WILL MOUNT DISTRICT-WIDE ANTI-MOSQUITO OPERATIONS LASTING FROM ABOUT 10 DAYS TO THREE WEEKS.

TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TUEN MUN WILL LEAD OFF THEIR CAMPAIGNS ON APRIL 7 AND OPERATIONS AT TAI PO AND SHA TIN WILL START ON APRIL 21.

DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, STAFF OF THE PEST CONTROL SECTIONS WILL CHECK AND IDENTIFY ALL POTENTIAL MOSQUITO BREEDING PLACES AND ELIMINATE THEM BY LARVICIDAL OIL.

THEY WILL ISSUE WARNING LETTERS TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE WHERE BREEDING PLACES ARE FOUND IN BUILDING SITES AND DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL PREMISES.

THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE, IT IS AN OFFENCE TO ALLOW MOSQUITOES TO BREED ON PREMISES AND OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10 000.

NEW TERRITORIES RESIDENTS WHO ENCOUNTER ANY MOSQUITO NUISANCE SHOULD CONTACT THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE RSD FOR ASSISTANCE.

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