The Centre for Food Safety (CFS), established in 2006, is tasked to enhance food safety regulatory functions to raise public confidence in the level of food safety.
The CFS has nine sections responsible for various tasks, including food surveillance and certification, exercising import control and conducting inspections and tests on live food animals, assessing risks of certain categories of food, and disseminating food safety information. It also investigates food poisoning outbreaks on food premises and advises on food standards.
Safety Control of Imported Food
As most food supplies originate from outside Hong Kong, import control is an important part of the CFS's work.
The control process - comprising a pre-entry licensing system, verification of health documents and surveillance at import control points - basically applies to certain categories of high-risk food, such as game, meat, poultry, milk and frozen confections.
Safety Control of Imported Food in 2011
| Applications approved for import licence for frozen/chilled meat and poultry | 105,234 |
| Applications approved for import of game, meat and poultry | 2,451 |
| Applications approved for import of milk and milk products | 299 |
| Applications approved for import of frozen confections | 198 |
| Number of vehicles carrying vegetables inspected by the Man Kam To Food Control Office | 28,836 |
Part of the day-to-day task of ensuring food safety involves close liaison with consulates, Mainland and overseas food authorities, importers, the Customs and Excise Department and other relevant organisations.
Food Surveillance and Handling Food Complaints
Continuous monitoring, testing and law enforcement are keys to ensuring the safety of Hong Kong's food supplies. Food samples are tested at every stage in the supply process: from import and manufacture to wholesale and retail.
During the year, about 64,600 samples of food were taken for testing, which is about nine samples for every 1,000 people in Hong Kong.
Food samples undergo microbiological examinations, chemical analyses and radiation level tests to assess their conformity to legal standards and labelling requirements.
The Man Kam To Food Laboratory provides expeditious and comprehensive testing services, mainly on fresh produce imported from the Mainland. The testing services are divided into three categories:
- Analysis of pesticide residues in fresh vegetables and fruits. Testing parameters include isocarbophos, methamidophos and other organophosphorous pesticides, N-methyl carbamates and pyrethroids.
- Analysis of veterinary drug residues in raw milk. Testing parameters include aminoglycosides, B-lactams, chloramphenicol, clenbuterol, lincomycin, macrolides, polypeptides, quinolones, spectinomycin, sulfonamides, synthetic hormones, tetracyclines and trimethoprim.
- Analysis of melamine in samples of raw milk and pasteurised milk imported from the Mainland.
The data collected through the Food Surveillance Programme is reviewed and analysed regularly to help topical studies, in addition to assessing the risk of specific foods and formulation of food safety strategies.
In 2011, a total of 4,265 food complaints were handled.
Statistics on the Food Surveillance Programme in 2011
(A) Testing of food samples
| Testing | Number# | Percentage# |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical | ||
| Test conducted | 47,139 | - |
| Satisfactory | 47,016 | 99.7% |
| Microbiological | ||
| Test conducted | 14,961 | - |
| Satisfactory | 14,910 | 99.7% |
| Radiation level | ||
| Test conducted | 2,778 | - |
| Satisfactory | 2,778 | 100% |
# Excluding 61,911 samples of imported Japanese food tested since the Japanese Nuclear Incident (three vegetable samples were found to have Iodine-131 above Codex Alimentarius Commission standard)
(B) Enforcement of food labelling
| Food labels inspected | 55,180 |
| Written warnings issued | 175 |
| Prosecutions taken out | 43 |
Management of Food Incidents
The CFS monitors food incidents, both local and overseas, on a daily basis. Over 900 food incidents were identified in 2011. Upon identifying food incidents, the CFS will consider factors such as risk to consumers, local regulations and availability of the concerned food product before deciding on the most appropriate risk management actions.
Besides, the CFS will communicate with related health authorities, importers and distributors on the food incidents. If necessary, the CFS will take actions such as requesting the trade to stop sale, conducting testing as and when appropriate, issuing warning letters and recalling products. The CFS will issue rapid alert to traders and inform them of the latest situation. It will also issue press releases to advise consumers not to consume the affected products if they are locally available. About 400 trade alerts and more than 40 press releases on food incidents were issued by the CFS in 2011.
In 2011, the CFS handled several major food incidents, such as contamination of German food with dioxins, Japanese food contamination by radiation leak of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant and food adulteration with plasticisers in Taiwan, which sparked significant concerns about the safety of food imported into Hong Kong.
In January 2011, the CFS commenced "hold and test" measure for eggs, poultry, pork and pork products from Germany before their release into the local market because of detection of dioxins in some of those products in Germany. A total of 134 related food samples had been held and tested for dioxins since then, and all results were satisfactory. The CFS resumed sampling and testing of food for dioxins under normal food surveillance programme on 10 March 2011.
In response to the Japan nuclear incident in March 2011, the CFS has stepped up surveillance of imported food from Japan for radiation. A total of 61,911 samples of Japanese food were tested in 2011. Three vegetable samples were found with Iodine-131 exceeding the Codex Guideline Levels on 23 March 2011, and an order was issued to prohibit the import and supply of specified food from five prefectures (Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma and Chiba) of Japan.
As for the plasticisers incident of Taiwan that happened in May 2011, the CFS adopted a risk-based surveillance strategy and tested over 1,100 samples of high risk food in 2011. A total of 49 unsatisfactory samples were found. Six orders were issued for plasticisers-contaminated food products that might pose public health risk to prohibit their import and supply in Hong Kong, and to direct that such products be recalled.
Staffed by doctors and nurses, the Food Incidents Response and Management Unit of the Risk Management Section, in collaboration with the Centre for Health Protection, investigates outbreaks of food poisoning and food-borne infectious diseases on food premises, identifies the contributing factors and assists in tracing sources of suspected food. The unit also educates the food handlers about food, personal and environmental hygiene. Around 300 investigations were carried out by the unit into food-borne diseases in 2011. Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common causative agents in food poisoning outbreaks related to food premises. Common contributing factors identified during investigations included cross contamination of ready-to-eat food by raw food, inadequate cooking, improper holding temperatures and contamination by food handlers.
Safety Control of Live Food Animals
The Veterinary Public Health Section (VPHS) and the Slaughterhouse (Veterinary) Section are mainly responsible for import control and conducting disease surveillance programmes on live food animals with public health significance.
Implementing the concept of "from farm to table", veterinary staff members visit registered farms exporting to Hong Kong to ensure that good husbandry practices are in place. In 2011, VPHS inspected a total of 70 registered farms and 11 processing plants in the Mainland. These included farms of chickens, ducks, pigeons, geese, pigs, cattle, fish, shellfish and hairy crabs.
During the year, 3.5 million live chickens and other poultry were imported into Hong Kong. These animals were subjected to quarantine and inspection procedures by VPHS staff at the designated entry point -- Man Kam To Control Point.
Number of imported food poultry inspected and blood samples tested in 2011
| Type of poultry | No. of poultry imported | No. of blood samples tested | No. of animal health certificates verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chickens and other poultry | 3,545,667 | 44,811 | 2,131 |
Number of local and imported food animals inspected in 2011
| Type of animal | No. of animals inspected | No. of animal health certificates verified |
|---|---|---|
| Pigs | 1,557,170 | 36,312 health certificates and 9,217 admission forms for local pigs |
| Cattle | 28,718 | 2,630 health certificates and 1 admission form for local cattle |
| Goats | 13,682 | 125 health certificates |
| No. of urine samples collected in food animals for testing of prohibited and restricted chemicals | 48,863 |
The Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Chemical Residues) Regulation prohibits the use of certain chemicals, including clenbuterol, and restricts the residue levels of a number of chemicals in food animals. One consignment of pig and one consignment of cattle were tested positive for prohibited chemicals during the urine compliance tests. During the year, 7,567 tissues and blood samples were collected from food animals for testing of veterinary drug residues and for disease surveillance. Seven consignments of pigs were tested positive for restricted chemicals during the tissue compliance tests.
The Quarantine Detector Dog Unit is responsible for interdicting raw meat smuggling at all land border control points by means of hand-carries by inbound passengers as well as mass transit by trucks. The unit serves to safeguard public health by avoiding meat from unknown sources which may contain contagious and zoonotic pathogens such as E. coli O157 and avian influenza, to be imported into Hong Kong. There are four quarantine detector dogs in the unit. In 2011, a total of 152 illegal meat import cases were detected.
Types of raw meat and number of cases detected by quarantine detector dogs in 2011
| Types of raw meat | No. of cases | Quantity (kg) |
|---|---|---|
|
Meat
|
64
|
194.79
|
| Poultry | 17 | 49.60 |
| Assorted Meat and Poultry | 71 | 397.94 |
Subsequent to a series of food poisoning cases associated with the consumption of coral fish, a voluntary Code of Practice on the Import and Sale of Live Marine Fish for Human Consumption has been developed in consultation with the trade and put in place. Under the code, traders will avoid the import and sale of high risk fish, keep transaction records of all live marine fish for at least 60 days, and report to the CFS every import of live coral fish within 48 hours of arrival.
For the export of food products of animal origin, 117 veterinary health certificates were issued for products such as chicken powder, ice cream, mooncakes and instant noodle. The value of these products totalled $89.4 million. They were exported to Australia, Canada, the European Union, the Mainland, Macao, New Zealand, the US and Venezuela.
Risk Assessment
Risk assessment forms the scientific basis, in a risk-based food safety control model, for risk management and risk communication. It includes systematic estimation and evaluation of the likelihood and severity of the adverse health effects resulting from exposure to food-borne hazards based on the best available scientific evidence. A typical risk assessment consists of four steps - hazard identification, hazard characterisation, exposure assessment and risk characterisation.
Researches, projects and literature studies are part of the CFS's risk assessment work. In addition, food safety incidents and issues, both inside and outside Hong Kong, are monitored and assessed on a daily basis. These allow the CFS to respond promptly and proactively in order to protect the public from exposing to hazards that are considered as harmful to humans.
Risk Assessment Projects
During 2011, the CFS embarked on several risk assessment projects, namely: "Literature review on endocrine disrupting chemicals and food safety", "Fatty Acid Esters of 3-Monochloropropane-1,2-Diol (3-MCPD) in Food", "Microbiological Quality of Higher Risk Buns and Sandwiches in Hong Kong" and "Nutrition Labelling and Related Claims on Prepackaged Food for Infants and Young Children in Hong Kong". The latter two were conducted jointly with the Consumer Council.
Information on food risk is provided to the public through a series of "Risk-in-brief" (RIB) papers, which are posted on the CFS website. In 2011, new issues of RIB included "Nitrite in Bird's Nest", "Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli in Food", "Canola Oil and Food Safety", "Thai Kudzu (Pueraria mirifica) in 'Breast Boosting' Food", and "Bisphenol A and Food Safety". The RIB on "Risk of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Barbecued Meats", "Cadmium in Food", "Melamine in Food", "Hijiki and Arsenic", and "Risk of Mercury in Fish" were updated.
Food Consumption Survey
The Government commissioned the Chinese University of Hong Kong to conduct the first territory-wide population-based Food Consumption Survey to collect information on the food consumption patterns of the general public. The final report and relevant information is available from the CFS website. Results of the survey can enhance the capacity of risk assessment work and facilitate the conduct of the Total Diet Study.
Total Diet Study
Total Diet Study (TDS) is internationally recognised as the most cost-effective way to estimate the dietary intake of a range of chemicals or nutrients of different population sub-groups. It allows the CFS to proactively assess whether specific chemicals would pose a risk to public health. In addition, it provides a scientific basis for formulating food safety strategies, undertaking surveillance and monitoring of food and food products, establishing regulatory standards for food and identifying deficiencies in the food safety regulatory regime. Moreover, as TDS also measures the amount of chemicals ingested by people of different age and sex groups, it enables the identification of the population groups that are most vulnerable and facilitates the formulation of action plans tailor-made for these groups. In 2010, the CFS embarked on the first Hong Kong Total Diet Study. The Food Research Centre of the Chinese University of Hong Kong was commissioned to conduct the field work of food sampling and preparation. The laboratory analysis was mainly performed by the Food Research Laboratory of the CFS. The field work, which commenced in March 2010, was completed in February 2011. The first report on dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was released in December 2011 and the reports on the other substances will be released in phases.
Nutrition Labelling
To assist consumers to make healthier food choices, encourage the trade to adopt sound nutritional principles in food production and regulate misleading or deceptive nutrition claims, a Nutrition Labelling Scheme (the Scheme) was launched. The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) (Amendment: Requirements for Nutrition Labelling and Nutrition Claim) Regulation 2008 ("the Amendment Regulation") was enacted by the Legislative Council on 28 May 2008 and the Scheme has been implemented smoothly since 1 July 2010.
In order to assist the trade and laboratory service providers to understand and comply with the Scheme, online resources (including technical guidance notes, frequently asked questions, Nutrition Label Calculator, etc.), telephone hotline and helpdesk service are provided to traders. Moreover, two trade workshops were conducted during the year. A Working Group on Nutrition Labelling comprising representatives from the trade, laboratories and the Government, continued to provide a platform to identify and tackle difficulties faced by the trade in complying with the Amendment Regulation, and enhance communication. The CFS started to receive applications for Small Volume Exemption (SVE) for Nutrition Labelling since September 2009. In 2011, over 21,000 applications were processed and there were about 20,000 SVE products in the market. A new computer system was rolled out in August 2010 to facilitate the trade to report the monthly sales volumes of their SVE products as well as to submit online SVE applications. As at December, about 51% of SVE applications were online submitted. The public can also obtain information on SVE granted products through the CFS website.
On the education front, to sustain the efforts of the three-year publicity and education campaign on nutrition labelling, a two-year enhancement publicity and education programme was launched in 2011. The enhancement programme aims at motivating behavioural changes by encouraging more people to use nutrition labels in choosing food suitable for them.
To facilitate the members of the public to make better food choices by using nutrition information on prepackaged food any time, anywhere, a mobile application, "Nutrition Calculator" (NuCal) was launched in October 2011, which can be downloaded free of charge from the App Store.
Nutrient Information Inquiry System
The Nutrient Information Inquiry System (NIIS) is a web-based searchable database containing nutrient information (including energy and 18 nutrients) on over 7,000 commonly consumed food items. Since June 2007, a Food Nutrient Calculator has been incorporated to promote public awareness of and capability in choosing healthy foods. It can automatically generate nutrient information about various food items that the users are interested in and this is a function that cannot be served by ordinary food composition tables. The NIIS has been updated with nutrient profiles from the Mainland and different overseas databases as well as local studies, and will continue its enhancement to include more nutrients that are of public concern and more user-friendly functions.
Food Standards
Setting food standards is an integral part of risk management in food safety. In setting new local food standards, the CFS takes reference from international food standards established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and scientific evaluations performed by internationally recognised authorities, such as the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations/World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), and the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR).
To better protect public health, facilitate effective regulatory control of pesticide residues in food and promote harmonisation between local and international standards, the Government proposed to introduce a new subsidiary legislation to govern pesticide residues in food. The CFS conducted public consultation on the proposed regulatory framework from November 2007 to January 2008. The 2007 proposed regulatory framework has been refined in the light of the feedback received. Based on the refined framework, the stakeholders have been further consulted through technical meetings and various consultation sessions since January 2011. The Food and Health Bureau and the CFS conducted a public consultation on the Refined Regulatory Framework for Pesticide Residues in Food in Hong Kong from 13 July to 19 September 2011. The CFS plans to table the proposed regulation at the Legislative Council within the 2011-12 legislative session.
In 2007, the CFS started the standard setting work on the veterinary drug residues in food. A Working Group comprising representatives from various government departments and members of the Expert Committee on Food Safety was formed to formulate the legislative framework. Upon finalising the proposed regulatory framework, the CFS will conduct public consultation.
In connection with food incidents involving infant formula in recent years, the CFS proposed to strengthen the regulation of dried milk (including infant formula) by amendment of the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations (Cap. 132AF). The Harmful Substances in Food (Amendment) Regulation 2011 extends the prohibition on the presence in food of veterinary drugs specified in the Second Schedule of Cap. 132AF to cover dried milk, condensed milk and reconstituted milk. The legislative amendment was tabled in the Legislative Council in December 2011 and will come into operation on 1 March 2012.
In 2011, the CFS commenced work to review the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap. 132V) and revise the Microbiological Guidelines for Ready-to-eat food. Two designated Working Groups under the Expert Committee were formed to give advice on these tasks.
Genetically Modified Food
Genetically modified (GM) food refers to food or a food ingredient that is, or is derived from, an organism in which genetic material has been modified using modern biotechnology. According to the WHO, GM foods currently available on the international market have passed risk assessments and are not likely to present risks to human health.
Since July 2006, the CFS has issued "Guidelines for Voluntary Labelling of GM Food" to the trade, encouraging the trade to adopt a voluntary labelling system for GM food. In collaboration with the Government Laboratory, two quantitative GM food testing methods were developed during the year under the capacity building programme. The CFS also focuses on public education on GM food. Relevant information is conveyed to the public through publications such as GM Food Newsletter.
Risk Communication
Effective communication with stakeholders is of pivotal importance in the area of food safety. Adopted a risk analysis approach in food safety control, the CFS recognises that communication is a crucial two-way process and tripartite collaboration among the food trade, the public and the Government is vital in upholding food safety in Hong Kong. The Risk Communication Section provides the point of contact for stakeholders as well as operates various forms of interactive forums, platforms and programmes to enable the food trade and the public to actively contribute to food safety.
The trade consultation forum, first held in July 2006, has become a regular function for the trade to meet with the Centre to exchange latest information, views and developments in food safety. It is held five to six times a year to collect views on food safety matters and comments on food safety control measures as well as risk communication activities. As for the consumers, the Centre works actively with the Consumer Liaison Group to collect feedbacks and suggestions on various food safety issues. Enrolled on a voluntary basis, members of the Group communicate with the Centre from time to time through various forms of meetings as well as formal and informal communications and help shape the Centre's communication strategies.
Regarding the topical programmes for the year, the Centre launched a media and communication campaign themed "Make Better Choices, Use Nutrition Labels" to cultivate the use of nutrition labelling in the community. A new set of Announcement in the Public Interest was broadcast, in parallel with poster and banner display in various public transport system and tunnels. Specific messages focusing on the use of nutrition information related to sodium, sugars and fats, the three important nutrients of concern to modern lives, have been developed and promulgated. To provide further support for our education partners, refresher seminars have been organised with updated resource materials surrounding the key messages. A Nutrition Labelling Promotion Award Scheme, entitled "Live it, Use it" was implemented in the academic year 2010-11 targeting at secondary school students. A variety of creative promotion activities were conducted by 35 teams from 21 schools. The Award Presentation Ceremony cum Food Safety Day 2011 was held on 8 July 2011 together with various media publicity. In December 2011, a community project called Nutrition Labelling Fun Shopping Award Scheme, also under the theme "Live it, Use it" was launched. This aims to encourage community organisations to promote the use of nutrition labelling through community activities that are more interesting and relevant to homemakers or other community members.
The Food Safety Charter has been jointly developed by the CFS and the food trade since 2008. It provides facilitation for the food trade to incorporate appropriate measures in their day-to-day practices and encourages the trade to commit to providing quality services grounded on food safety to Hong Kong people and tourists. For the year 2011-12, a total of 21 food trade associations and more than 2,200 licensed food premises signed up to the Charter. Members of the public can identify the signatories by the Food Safety Charter certificates and stickers on display in their food premises.
The Centre hosted the Regional Symposium: "From Food Incidents to Crisis Management" on 1 and 2 June 2011 to commemorate the fifth anniversary of its establishment and the designation of the CFS as the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Risk Analysis of Chemicals in Food in October 2010. The symposium provided a platform for experience sharing, updating on food safety issues, fostering partnership and collaboration, and providing an opportunity for communicating with the trade.
The Risk Communication Section has also put in place a range of mechanisms to keep the public and the trade informed of food safety issues in a timely and proactive manner. The "Rapid Alert System" delivers prompt email/fax messages to the food trade explaining food incidents, providing advice and enquiry phone numbers. Food alerts are issued on the CFS website and via electronic means when food incidents of concern are identified. The monthly electronic newsletter "Food Safety Focus" posted on the CFS website covers current local and overseas food safety issues and the actions undertaken by the CFS. It also provides professional and easy-to-understand information on various food hazards and related public health risks. Quarterly publications, "Food Safety Bulletin" and "Food Safety Express", target the general public and the trade respectively. Starting from 2009, the CFS issues the Food Safety Reports monthly instead of bimonthly. In addition, reports on five Seasonal Food Surveillance projects, 12 Targeted Food Surveillance and three Surveys on Popular Food Items were also issued in 2011. The fortnightly e-news helps subscribers to keep abreast of the latest activities and information.
Last but not least, the Risk Communication Section handles enquiries from the media and the public on food safety. It also publicises the results of food surveillance and risk assessment studies and relevant health advice. The CFS maintains a wide range of resource materials including guidelines, pamphlets, posters and exhibition boards, as well as topical giveaway items for consumption of the public and trade. Members of the public may also contact the Communication Resource Unit of the Section for customised support on food safety initiatives.
Summary of Risk Communication Activities in 2011
| Item | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of educational/publicity programmes organised | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| No. of resource materials produced | 60 | 63 | 114 | 84 | 78 |
| Total attendance at public education/communication activities | 186,046 | 180,000 | 173,908 | 199,098 | 208,285 |
| No. of public enquiries handled | 4,868 | 14,230 | 7,524 | 6,441 | 5,948 |
| No. of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) seminars/workshops | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| Seasonal Food Surveillance |
|---|
| Lunar New Year food |
| Rice Dumplings |
| Mooncakes |
| Hairy Crabs |
| Microbiological Quality of "Poon Choi" |
| Targeted Food Surveillance |
|---|
| Microbiological Quality of Lunch Boxes |
| Microbiological Quality of Refrigerated Pre-packaged Boxed Meal that Required Reheating before Consumption |
| Enterobacter Sakazakii (Cronobacter spp.) in Powdered Infant Formula |
| Microbiological Quality of Ice-cream and Frozen Confections |
| Formaldehyde in Noodlefish |
| Microbiological Quality of Chinese Cold Dishes |
| Microbiological Quality of Bottled Water |
| Sudan Dyes in Eggs and Egg Products |
| Nitrate and Nitrite in Meat, Meat Products and Cheese |
| Sulphur Dioxide in Meat (Two Phases) |
| Preservatives in Preserved Fruits and Vegetables |
| Survey on Popular Food Items |
|---|
| Hotpot Soup Bases |
| Vegetarian Food |
| Hong Kong Style Tea Restaurant |
HACCP-based Food Safety Plan
The adoption of a food safety plan (FSP) was continually promoted during the year. The FSP is a proactive food safety assurance model based on the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP). Promotional programmes are devised for specific trade sectors, including "poon choi" suppliers, caterers for elderly homes, schools and child-care centres and food premises selling sushi, sashimi, raw oyster and meat to be eaten raw. Workshops and seminars are organised for managerial and operational staff of the target groups.
Members of the public have also been included in the publicity programme, as a better informed public is an added incentive for the trade to implement HACCP principles.
Food hygiene seminars and workshops were held from March to December to introduce the concept of food risk and to highlight the FSP as an important risk management measure for the trade and the public.
Pest Control
The FEHD is the Government's adviser on pest control matters and is responsible for handling problems of pests affecting public health. In meeting this goal, the Department adopts an integrated approach, putting equal emphasis on the effective use of pesticides and continuous improvements in environmental hygiene. It regularly updates its control methodologies and technologies, making reference to the latest recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). The Department works closely with the pest control trade in upholding the professional standards of pest control practices by offering professional support and advice.
Management of vector-borne diseases
Vector-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis (JE), chikungunya fever, plague, scrub typhus, urban typhus, spotted fever and hantaan disease, continue to pose a threat to Hong Kong. Working with the Department of Health, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Home Affairs Department, the FEHD serves as an executive arm in the prevention and control of the above-mentioned vector-borne diseases. Investigations are initiated immediately once a disease is reported, followed by appropriate vector control measures.
Risk Assessment and Surveillance of Mosquitoes
Hong Kong is under the constant threat of dengue fever. Mosquito breeding grounds in the community and the port areas are monitored continually. The ovitrap indices obtained from these locations are released to the parties concerned and the public to increase community participation in controlling the vector and heighten awareness of the mosquito problem. In 2011, the average ovitrap index recorded in the community was 4.7%. The highest Monthly Average Ovitrap Index (MOI) recorded in the community was 14.3% (in July) and the highest port MOI was 1.1% (in May). These reflected that the mosquito problem was under control. In addition, a long-standing control programme against malaria-transmitting mosquitoes, covering some 600 streams, returned favourable results in 2011, revealing no evidence of local transmission of malaria.
During the year, the Department conducted 833,959 inspections with 47,039 mosquito breeding places found, 234 warning letters issued, and 26 summonses taken out. Legal action was taken against those who allowed mosquitoes to breed on their premises.
Anti-mosquito campaign
An inter-departmental Anti-mosquito Campaign was launched in three phases in 2011. Anti-mosquito measures were strengthened with educational and publicity work, and there was a continued emphasis on eliminating breeding places.
Risk Assessment and Surveillance of Rodents
To keep track of the extent of rodent infestation, rodent infestation surveys have been conducted since 2000. The Rodent Infestation Rate (the percentage of bait consumed by rodents, obtained from different places at different times) is used to assess rodent problems at different places so as to take prompt action to prevent their proliferation. The overall Rodent Infestation Rate obtained in 2011 was 1.7% which indicated that rodent infestation was under control.
Inspections and disinfestations are also carried out regularly to contain rodent problems. During the year, the Department handled 6,633 reports of rodent problem with 70 written warnings issued, and collected 31,271 dead rodents (10,163 trapped and 21,108 poisoned). More than 7,100 rat holes were filled.
Moreover, studies were carried out in squatter areas and on-street fixed pitch hawker stalls to monitor the rat-flea situation to assess the risk of plague transmission in 2011. The rat-flea index was found to be 0.17 and 0.64 respectively with an overall index of 0.54. The department also monitored the rat-flea index of waterfront and land port areas. The Kwun Tong Public Cargo Working Area was closed permanently in 2011. The rat-flea indices of other waterfront and land port areas under surveys in 2011 were zero. (The WHO states that a Rat-flea Index greater than 1 represents an increased plague risk for humans if the plague bacillus has been introduced into a country or region.)
Anti-rodent campaign
In addition to routine rodent control measures, the Department engages community participation in its efforts to control rodents through the annual territory-wide inter-departmental Anti-rodent Campaign. The campaign was promoted through a number of channels including theme talks and exhibitions.
Airport Disease Vectors Surveillance
Hong Kong is renowned for its vibrant international airport. To ensure that it is free from dengue fever and plague vectors, monitoring stations have been set up at various points in accordance with international health regulations. In 2011, 732 mosquito surveys were conducted, with MOI consistently below 0.5%. The rat-flea index recorded from rat-flea studies was zero. A total of 49 advisory letters were issued.
Cross-boundary Co-operation
As infectious diseases know no physical boundaries, close ties have been established among Guangdong Province, Macao and Hong Kong in the fight against such diseases and the disease vectors. In addition to regular meetings between the parties at senior administrative and professional levels, an exchange programme involving professionals from Guangdong and Hong Kong is in place to promote mutual understanding and cross-fertilisation of expertise. Information on disease vectors surveillance in port areas is also exchanged regularly.
Other Pest Control Programmes
Other than mosquitoes and rats, the Department controls, by disinfestations, other pests such as flies, fleas, mites, cockroaches, ants, wasps and ticks. In 2011, 94,182 disinfestation operations using pesticides were carried out. Staff are deployed to patrol refuse collection points, rear lanes and hygiene black spots to spray insecticides, as necessary, and remove items attracting flies.