Hong Kong Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food York Chow said in Hong Kong Friday that a trial vaccination program for pigs against Japanese encephalitis was under consideration as five local cases have been recorded this year.

Chow said the figure was high compared to cases reported in recent years.

As Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes, the principal vector of Japanese encephalitis, were infected by feeding on infected pigs and wild birds, the Center for Health Protection and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department were studying the implementation details of the trial.

Chow said the move aims to reduce the risk of the virus threatening public health. It will also help lower the risk of pigs, a host of the virus, from becoming a source of infection.

He said the trial will take at least two months to materialize as the mechanism and implementation details are yet to be worked out.

While the threat of mosquitoes will be easing with the approach of winter, Chow said anti-mosquito operations will continue, and the public should take measures against mosquito bites.

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2004)