EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BUREAU CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM NO. 326/ 2003
From : Secretary for Education and Manpower
Ref. : EMB(SD/CT)/ADM/20/5/02/1 Pt.1 Date : 2 December 2003
To : Supervisors/ Heads of Kindergartens, Primary and Secondary Schools
Prevention of Dengue Fever - Responsibilities of Schools
The Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) issued Circular Memorandum No. 123/2003 on 27 May 2003 to provide schools with information on Dengue Fever (DF) and to remind them to adopt appropriate preventive measures. Messages on DF were faxed to schools in September and October, and a series of seminars on the topic were held jointly with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) for schools in October and November. By now, schools should be well aware that stagnant water found in the environment is the prime medium leading to mosquito breeding, and hence the spread of DF.
It is the responsibility of the school management to take every necessary step to ensure that the school premises and its environment poses no threat of mosquito breeding and that the highest code of hygiene is observed.
2. Attached is a copy of the relevant legislation, the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132) Section 27, setting out the statutory obligations of occupiers in keeping their premises free of the accumulation of water and the existence of larvae or pupae of mosquitoes. The school authority is held accountable for the hygienic condition of its school premises. As such, it is the school authority’s responsibility if any prosecution is brought against it by the FEHD under the provisions of the above-cited Section of the Ordinance.
3. If you need any expert advice on mosquito control, please contact the FEHD hotline 2868 0000.
K S LEE
for Secretary for Education and Manpower
